An international transport registration forbids the sailing of ships carrying humanitarian assistance from Turkey to Gaza.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition ( FFC), a grassroots organization working to bring an “end” to the “illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza”, was contacted by the Guinea Bissau International Ships Registry ( GBISR ) on Thursday, “requesting” to inspect one of their ships, according to the press release from the FFC.
” On Thursday afternoon, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition was contacted by the Guinea Bissau International Ships Registry ( GBISR ), requesting an inspection of our lead ship – Akdenez”, the FFC wrote. ” This was a very strange request as our ship had now passed all required checks, however, we agreed”.
FFC notes that on Friday evening, “before the examination was completed”, the GBISR informed the FFC that the” Guinea Bissau symbol” was being “withdrawn” from two of the FFC’s boats, one of which was a cargo ship carrying more than 5, 000 lots of humanitarian assistance for Palestinians living in Gaza.
The GBISR’s action was labeled as “blatantly political” by the FFC, adding that they could not sail without a flag.
” Without a flag, we cannot sail”, the FFC added.
The FFC wrote
The GBISR specifically made reference to our planned mission to Gaza in its communication informing us of this cancellation. Additionally, it requested additional extraordinary information, including confirmation of the ships ‘ destinations, any potential additional port calls, and the discharged port for humanitarian aid, along with estimated arrival times and dates. Additionally, it demanded a full manifesto of the cargo as well as a formal letter granting express approval for the shipment of humanitarian aid.
Again, this is a highly unusual move from a flagging authority. National flagging authorities typically only care about the safety and related standards of vessels carrying their flags, and they are not concerned with the destination, route, cargo manifests, or the nature of a particular voyage. The authorities do n’t require you to detail every location you’re going to with the car, just like when you register your car.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas, a U. S. designated Islamic terror group, attacked Israel by land, sea, and air, leaving 1, 200 Israelis dead and more than 200 people taken as hostages.
Israel launched a self-defense operation in the Hamas-controlled territory of Gaza following the attack.
The UN food security agency has estimated that Northern Gaza residents may already be experiencing famine as the conflict between Israel and Hamas gets going.
Roughly 677, 000 and 1.1 million people in Gaza were estimated to be experiencing food insecurity.
In a press release released in March, the United States Agency for International Development ( USAID ) stated that northern Gaza would experience an imminent famine between now and May.
As of April 20, USAID had confirmed that it would be working with the World Food Programme ( WFP ) of the United Nations to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
