Libyan hospital ship joins Gaza-bound aid flotilla

The Libyan vessel Omar al-Mukhtar has joined the Global Sumud Flotilla aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade on Gaza after being equipped with an intensive care unit to provide health services for the fleet.

It comes after the ship was unable to sail on Wednesday due to bad weather conditions, the ship’s spokesperson, Nabil al-Soukni, told Anadolu Agency.

“We are now fully ready with all our equipment, and we increased the storage of supplies for some of the smaller boats that had been understocked due to their size,” al-Soukni said.

He added that they have also allocated space for activists from some boats that were deemed unsuitable to reach Gaza.

The spokesman said that the Omar al-Mukhtar is carrying tents for displaced Palestinians, medicines, baby formula and various supplies for all age groups in the enclave.

Strong support

“The popular and moral support we received from some parties in Libya was a strong message to raise the morale of the crew aboard the Omar al-Mukhtar,” he added.

Among the prominent figures on board is former Libyan Prime Minister Omar al-Hassi, along with international activists, the spokesman said.