Sixteen individuals, including at least three children, have lost their lives in Israeli assaults on Gaza, according to the territory’s civil defense agency.
In overnight airstrikes in the Khan Younis governorate, located in southern Gaza, six people were reported dead, as stated by civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal.
Among the deceased were two boys, aged five and two, in an apartment situated in Al-Mawasi.
The civil defense later reported that 10 additional people were killed in a strike on a tent, also in Al-Mawasi, including one child and seven women.
Israel renewed its military offensive in Gaza on March 18, following a two-month ceasefire in its conflict with Hamas, which was initiated after the militant group’s attack on October 7, 2023.
Since the resumption of its campaign in Gaza, the health ministry in Gaza has reported that at least 2,436 people have been killed, raising the total death toll from Israeli attacks in Gaza to 52,535.
The United Nations considers these statistics to be credible.
Israel has halted aid deliveries to Gaza, asserting that Hamas has redirected supplies.
Read more: ‘We have nothing to give them,’ says aid worker in Gaza
Israel claims that the blockade is intended to pressure militants into releasing hostages held within Palestinian territories.
UN agencies have urged Israel to lift these restrictions, citing a humanitarian catastrophe and warning of impending famine for Palestinians in Gaza.
Relatives of Palestinians who lost their lives mourn after the Israeli army’s attack on the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis.
An NGO claims Malta is obstructing access to a Gaza-bound aid ship that was allegedly struck by drones.
Meanwhile, an international NGO has accused Malta of hindering access to a humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza, which it claims was bombed by two drones two days prior. Malta has denied these allegations, stating that the crew refused assistance.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international non-governmental organization, stated that Israel, which has imposed a blockade on Gaza amid its conflict with Hamas, is responsible for the incident.
Israel has not yet responded to requests for comments.
The ship Conscience, operated by the coalition, sustained damage to its front section, including a loss of power, when struck just outside Maltese territorial waters in the southern Mediterranean, according to the NGO.
It had been prepared to onboard around 30 peace activists from various countries before attempting to sail to Gaza to deliver food and medical supplies.
The NGO mentioned that volunteers from 13 countries attempting to reach the ship from Malta on Friday and Saturday were intercepted by the Maltese military, who forced them back under the threat of arrest.
“The humanitarian ship Conscience has been blocked in international waters since it was attacked by two drones in the early morning of May 2,” the coalition stated.
They claimed that Maltese authorities had also prevented the ship from entering port to repair the damage and assist four individuals on board who reportedly suffered cuts and burns during the drone attack. This was the first report of any injuries.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition held Israel accountable for the attack on the Gaza-bound humanitarian aid vessel in international waters off Malta.
Prime Minister Robert Abela affirmed that Malta continues to offer support to the ship, emphasizing the need to safeguard Malta’s security. He noted that the ship’s captain has continued to deny access to a surveyor and Malta police.
Once it is verified that the ship’s cargo is solely humanitarian in nature, Malta will facilitate repairs to allow it to resume its journey to Gaza, Mr. Abela stated.
Malta has consistently supported Palestinian causes and previously admitted several injured children from Gaza for medical treatment.
Another NGO vessel on a similar mission to Gaza in 2010 was stopped and boarded by Israeli forces, resulting in the deaths of nine activists.
Other similar ships have been intercepted and boarded without any loss of life.
Hamas released a statement regarding the incident near Malta, accusing Israel of “piracy” and “state terrorism”.
The Maltese government stated on Friday that the vessel and its crew received assistance in the early hours when the attack was reported, with a nearby tug helping to extinguish fires.
