August 31, 2024
A United Nations human rights expert has raised alarm over a Portuguese-flagged ship allegedly carrying a significant quantity of explosives to Israel. This development comes amid heightened international concern over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has led to a staggering death toll and widespread destruction in the besieged territory.
Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, issued the warning in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. She revealed that the vessel in question, identified as the MV Kathrin, is expected to deliver eight containers of explosives to Israel. These explosives, she stated, are crucial components for aircraft bombs and missiles currently being used in the bombardment of Gaza.
“This may be a breach of the Genocide Convention,” Albanese warned, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. She urged Angola, where the ship might seek port access, to follow Namibia’s example by denying entry to the vessel. Namibia had earlier refused to allow the Kathrin to dock at any of its ports, citing international law. The ship is currently anchored off the coast of Namibia.
Albanese’s warnings underscore growing international concerns over the potential complicity of foreign nations in Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The Special Rapporteur pointed out that any military transfer to Israel, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has determined could plausibly be committing genocide, would constitute a violation of the Genocide Convention. This situation also raises questions about compliance with UN Human Rights Council resolution 55/L.30, which mandates an arms embargo against Israel.
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Portugal, the nation under whose flag the Kathrin sails, has yet to issue a formal response to these allegations. However, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel has previously condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, describing them as “intolerable attacks” on the people trapped in the coastal enclave. Rangel also voiced his “unfavorable opinion on the export of arms and ammunition to Israel,” reflecting the growing discontent within the Portuguese government regarding the situation.
The explosive-laden vessel’s journey to Israel comes at a time when the Gaza Strip is experiencing unprecedented levels of violence. Since October 7, when Palestinian resistance groups launched a surprise operation into occupied territories, Israel has responded with a relentless military offensive. The campaign has been accompanied by a near-total siege, severely restricting the flow of essential supplies such as food, medicine, electricity, and water into Gaza.
According to the latest figures, the Israeli military campaign has resulted in the deaths of at least 40,602 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women, children, and adolescents. Additionally, 93,855 individuals have been injured, with many more displaced as their homes and infrastructure have been destroyed.
The international community remains divided on how to address the escalating crisis. While some nations and organizations have called for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian intervention, others have backed Israel’s right to self-defense, albeit with growing concerns over the humanitarian cost of the conflict.
As the situation unfolds, the call for an arms embargo against Israel is likely to gain more traction, with human rights advocates pushing for greater accountability for the ongoing violence in Gaza. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the international community can come together to prevent further escalation and address the mounting humanitarian catastrophe in the region.
e.news 
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