Kitchens warn food will run out in days after two months of Israeli blockade
\n NICOSIA
\nA group of activists organising an aid boat for Gaza said it was attacked on Friday by drones in international waters off Malta as it headed towards the Palestinian territory.
\nThe Maltese government and Cypriot rescuers said they had responded to a distress call from the vessel, while Malta said all crew members were safe and made no mention of an alleged attack. The activists said they suspected Israel could be behind the attack, and Cyprus\u2019s rescue agency said it had been informed by the island\u2019s foreign ministry of an Israeli drone strike.
\n\u201cAt 00:23 Maltese time, the Conscience, a Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship came under direct attack in international waters,\u201d the group said in a statement.
\n\u201cArmed drones attacked the front of an unarmed civilian vessel twice, causing a fire and a substantial breach in the hull. \u201cIsraeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer to violations of international law, including the ongoing blockade and the bombing of our civilian vessel in international waters.\u201d Asked whether the group believed Israel was behind the attack, a spokesperson said they \u201csuspected\u201d that was the case.
\n\u201cWhile we cannot confirm 100 per cent, we suspect it\u2019s Israel,\u201d Hay Sha Wiya said, calling the country \u201cthe primary entity interested in keeping us and any aid out of Gaza\u201d.
\nIsrael is known for conducting covert operations beyond its borders, including several during the Gaza conflict that it only acknowledged later. The activists said the strike appeared to target the boat\u2019s generator.
\nFollowing the distress call, the Malta Vessel Traffic Services body dispatched a tugboat and offered support. \u201cThe tug arrived on scene and began firefighting operations. By 0128 hrs, the fire was reported under control,\u201d the Maltese statement said.
\n\u2018Two weeks of supply left\u2019
\nThe American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), a US-based organisation running one of the community kitchens in Gaza, warned that the few dozen remaining food kitchens are set to close in days, the BBC reported.
\nThe organisation\u2019s warning comes amid Israel\u2019s two-month long blockade of all food supplies from entering Gaza. \u201cThe coming days will be critical. We expect we have two weeks\u2019 supply, maybe less\u201d, said Sami Matar, who leads the Anera team, reported by the BBC.
\nOn 2 March, Israel shut all crossings to Gaza \u2014 preventing all goods, including food, fuel and medicines from entering \u2014 and resumed its military offensive two weeks later, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. It said these steps were meant to put pressure on Hamas to release the prisoners it still holds.
\n\u201cPeople rely on our meals; they have no source of income to buy what\u2019s left in the local markets and many foods are not available\u201d. \u201cIn the past we used to cook rice with meat \u2014 with protein. Now, because of the closure, there\u2019s no type of meat, no fresh vegetables,\u201d said Matar.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kitchens warn food will run out in days after two months of Israeli blockade NICOSIA A group of activists organising an aid boat for Gaza said it was attacked on Friday by drones in international waters off Malta as it headed towards the Palestinian territory. The Maltese government and Cypriot rescuers said they had responded […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":476308,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-476289","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n