Did Iran Condemn an Alleged Israeli Drone Attack on a Gaza-Bound Aid Ship?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Iran condemns Israeli drone attack on humanitarian aid ship.
- Attack reportedly occurred in international waters.
- Baghaei calls for international accountability against Israel.
- Humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens with ongoing blockade.
- Concerns of famine grow amid severe shortages of supplies.
Tehran, May 4 (NationPress) The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, has expressed strong disapproval of a drone strike, purportedly executed by Israel, targeting a vessel laden with humanitarian supplies intended for Gaza.
He cited an incident highlighted by the international NGO Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which announced that its Gaza aid ship, named "Conscience", was struck by drones in international waters near Malta early Friday, attributing the attack to Israel.
In an official statement from his Ministry, Baghaei condemned the assault, asserting it aligns with Israel's agenda against the Palestinian people and reinforces the blockade on Gaza, labeling it as "a clear crime against Palestinians and a terrorist act against maritime security and safety".
He emphasized that withholding essential resources like food, water, and medicine from Gaza’s inhabitants, especially vulnerable groups such as children and women, constitutes "a blatant example of war crimes and crimes against humanity".
Baghaei further characterized the United States and other nations backing Israel as co-conspirators in these actions, reaffirming Iran's solidarity with the "oppressed" Palestinian populace in Gaza and the West Bank, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
He added that the blockade violates international humanitarian law principles.
Reiterating Iran's commitment to the Palestinian cause, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged the global community and Islamic nations to unequivocally denounce Israel and demand accountability for its officials.
On Friday, Malta's government confirmed that its maritime authorities had responded to a distress signal from a vessel beyond its territorial waters and provided immediate help.
Local reports indicated that the crew members of the ship were rescued without reported injuries.
Additional media coverage noted that an Israeli military aircraft was observed near Malta hours prior to the attack.
As of now, Israel has not released an official statement regarding the incident or the associated reports.
In March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prohibited aid shipments into Gaza, claiming it was a strategy to compel the Palestinian resistance group Hamas to accept an extension of a ceasefire agreement that Israel had previously violated.
Israeli Minister of Military Affairs Israel Katz recently stated that no preparations were underway to facilitate aid into the region.
He confirmed that the Israeli government would not permit any humanitarian assistance into Gaza, asserting that food is being utilized as leverage against Hamas.
Israel has impeded the entry of vital supplies, including food and medicine, into Gaza for weeks, raising concerns among aid organizations about an imminent famine in the besieged Palestinian territory.