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Colombia to sever diplomatic ties with Israel

Petro emphasised the necessity for countries to take active stances in response to the escalating crisis in Gaza…reports Asian Lite News

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has declared intentions to sever diplomatic relations with Israel due to its actions in the Gaza Strip, a move criticised by human rights advocates and experts who caution against the possibility of genocide, Al Jazeera reported.

Addressing a gathering on International Workers’ Day in Bogota, Petro emphasised the necessity for countries to take active stances in response to the escalating crisis in Gaza.

“Here in front of you, the government of change, of the president of the republic, announces that tomorrow we will break diplomatic relations with the state of Israel … for having a government, for having a president who is genocidal,” Petro declared.

A steadfast leader of the left-wing faction, President Petro has emerged as a prominent figure in the Latin American political landscape, aligning himself with the progressive wave known as the “pink tide”. Since assuming office in 2022, he has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions, particularly in the context of the Gaza war, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The rift between Colombia and Israel deepened in October, following Petro’s condemnation of Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant’s rhetoric, which he likened to that of the Nazis. Gallant’s description of Gaza as inhabited by “human animals” during a period of heightened conflict elicited sharp rebuke from Petro, resulting in Israel halting security exports to Colombia.

Subsequently, Petro escalated his criticism, accusing Israel of perpetrating genocide in the besieged Palestinian enclave. Such allegations drew fierce condemnation from Israeli officials and pro-Israel advocacy groups, further straining bilateral relations.

In a significant move, Colombia suspended its purchases of Israeli weapons in February, citing concerns over the use of force against Palestinians in Gaza. Petro evoked poignant parallels, invoking the spectre of the Holocaust as he decried Israeli actions as reminiscent of historical atrocities.

The Colombian president’s latest pronouncement comes amidst mounting apprehension over the prospect of an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, a southern city in the Gaza Strip. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has cautioned against such escalation, warning of dire consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire.

The toll of the conflict is staggering, with over 34,500 Palestinians perishing in Israel’s military offensive thus far. The Gaza Strip grapples with a looming humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by relentless violence and crippling siege measures. Experts warn of impending famine, underscoring the urgency of addressing the plight of the enclave’s inhabitants, according to Al Jazeera.

Israel’s response to Colombia’s decision to sever diplomatic ties remains elusive, as the government refrains from immediate comment. However, Colombia’s pursuit of justice extends beyond mere diplomatic gestures, as it seeks recourse through international legal avenues.

In early April, the Colombian government petitioned to join a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging Israel’s commission of genocide against Palestinians. The move underscores Colombia’s commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly, in Gaza.

The ICJ’s ruling in January, acknowledging the plausible risk of genocide faced by Palestinians in Gaza, lends credence to Colombia’s pursuit of accountability. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese’s findings further validate these concerns, highlighting the grave nature of Israel’s assault on Gaza and its catastrophic impact on Palestinian lives.

Israel vehemently denies accusations of genocide, dismissing Albanese’s report as a distortion of reality. Yet, amidst mounting evidence and international scrutiny, the quest for justice for the victims of the Gaza conflict remains an urgent imperative on the global stage, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)

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Turkey to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel

Israel, which is not a member of the ICJ, also argued that the court has no jurisdiction and asked the court to reject the case outright…reports Asian Lite News

Turkey announced it is joining South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel in the International Court of Justice on Wednesday.

“Our legal experts have been studying how to participate in the legal case against Israel at the ICJ,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as he announced the move.

Fidan said an application will soon be filed with the ICJ.

During the mid-January hearings, South Africa argued to the judges in the Hague that Israel’s military campaign was intended to cause “the destruction of the population” of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli representatives, led by former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak, rejected the claims, arguing that Israel has a right to defend itself, respects international law, and that Palestinian casualties were the result of Hamas embedding its tunnels and military infrastructure in civilian areas.

Israel, which is not a member of the ICJ, also argued that the court has no jurisdiction and asked the court to reject the case outright.

In a provisional ruling issued on January 26, the ICJ ordered Israel by a vote of 15-2 to “take all measures” to prevent “genocide” in Gaza, but did not order the implementation of a ceasefire.

Legal experts said it could take years for a final ruling on whether Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians. However, a ruling on the genocide claim, while legally binding, would be difficult to enforce.

Meanwhile, Israeli leaders are bracing for the possibility that the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, may soon issue warrants for the arrest of senior Israeli officials for war crimes, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Chief of the Israel Defense Forces Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi. It is also speculated that Khan will ask for warrants to be issued against Hamas leaders.

Although both the ICC and ICJ are based in the Hague, they are separate courts.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz instructed Israel’s embassies to “immediately prepare for the outbreak of a severe anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli anti-Semitic wave in the world.”

Due to what the Foreign Ministry said is the “seriousness of the threat,” Katz also instructed Israeli representatives to impress on local Jewish communities the need to boost security for their institutions.

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US yet to see Israel’s plan for entering Rafah

United States has reiterated its stance regarding the situation in Rafah, emphasising the need for a credible plan from Israel…reports Asian Lite News

The United States has not seen Israel’s “credible plan” to enter Rafah that is set to address the “varying areas of concerns”, said a US State Department official on Tuesday.

As tensions persist in the ongoing conflict, the United States has reiterated its stance regarding the situation in Rafah, emphasising the need for a credible plan from Israel before any potential military operation.

Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of State, Vedant Patel reaffirmed this position, stating, “That is correct, it continues to be the case that we have not seen a credible plan that would address the varying areas of concerns.”

Rafah, a region with over 1 million displaced individuals, remains a critical area for humanitarian aid distribution and a safe passage for foreign nationals. Patel underscored the significance of addressing the serious humanitarian concerns surrounding Rafah, highlighting the necessity for any operation to prioritise the well-being of the population in the region.

“Primarily the ability to address the serious humanitarian concerns surrounding again, Rafah is a region with more than 1 million people seeking refuge. It’s an area that continues to be an important conduit for humanitarian aid, as well as safe departure for foreign nationals,” he said.

While refraining from speculation on potential scenarios, Patel noted the ongoing engagement with Israeli counterparts to seek clarity on their plans concerning Rafah.

“So any kind of operation that does not address some of these key concerns would certainly be opposed by us,” he also said.

He stressed that any operation lacking measures to address humanitarian needs and ensure the safe departure of civilians would face opposition from the United States.

“I’m not going to get into any hypotheticals, but this is something we’re continuing to engage with our partners in Israel. Conversations continue to be happening at all levels, and we’ll continue to press forward on those conversations and ask what their plans may or may not be as it pertains to Rafah,” Patel added.

Patel’s remarks come the same day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his military plans to enter Rafah city of Gaza and said that his military will undertake the operations regardless of a breakthrough in truce talks with Hamas.

“The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all its aims is not an option,” Netanyahu told the hawkish Gvura and Tikva forums, who represent families of slain soldiers and families of hostages held in Gaza, respectively, The Times of Israel reported.

“We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there — whether or not there is a deal — in order to achieve total victory,” Netanyahu added.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, the groups urged Netanyahu and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi to continue the war and to resist international pressures, The Times of Israel reported.

Netanyahu has faced pressure from his nationalist governing partners not to proceed with a deal that might prevent Israel from invading Rafah, which it says is Hamas’ last major stronghold. His government could be threatened if he agrees to a deal because hard-line Cabinet members have demanded an attack on Rafah.

But with more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people sheltering there, the international community, including Israel’ top ally the US, has warned Israel against any offensive that puts civilians at risk.

It was not clear if Netanyahu’s comments were meant to appease his governing partners or whether they would have any bearing on any emerging deal with Hamas.

ALSO READ: Blinken Visits Israel for Gaza Ceasefire Talks

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Israel fears ICC might issue warrants against Netanyahu

According to Israeli media reports, the country’s proposal called for a deal to accept the release of 40 of the roughly 130 hostages believed to be still held in exchange for freeing Palestinian security prisoners jailed in Israel…reports Asian Lite News

Officials within the Israeli government fear that the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) might be considering issuing an arrest warrant against Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defence minister Yoav Gallant and other top officials. Tel Aviv has activated all diplomatic channels, along with the involvement of the country’s Foreign Ministry, to try and block the ICC from issuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant and other military officials over war crimes, as per Israeli media reports.

A source within the Israeli government said that the US is also “part of the last-ditch diplomatic effort” to prevent the ICC from issuing the arrest warrants. The ICC, on the other hand, told NBC News that its independent investigation in connection to the situation in Palestine is currently ongoing.

The Hague-based court, however, did not comment on the arrest warrants it is considering against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant along with top Israeli officials. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Hamas to accept Israel’s latest and “extraordinarily generous” proposal for a possible truce deal and secure the release of hostages amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

According to Israeli media reports, the country’s proposal called for a deal to accept the release of 40 of the roughly 130 hostages believed to be still held in exchange for freeing Palestinian security prisoners jailed in Israel. The second phase of the proposal of a truce consisted a ‘period of sustained calm’.

The ‘period of sustained calm’ refers to Israel’s compromise response to Hamas’ demand for permanent ceasefire. On Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told the country’s embassies abroad to prepare for a severe antisemitic backlash if the Court takes any action.

Moreover, a senior Hamas source told Reuters the ceasefire talks in Cairo will take place between the group’s delegation and Qatari and Egyptian mediators. “Hamas has some questions and inquiries over the Israeli response to its proposal, which the movement received from mediators,” he said.

As Israel is facing pressure over its offensive in Gaza and Hamas’ demand of a ceasefire, a US State Department spokesperson said that Washington has found 5 units of the country’s forces responsible for gross violations of human rights.

ALSO READ-France Pushes for Peace Talks Amid Hezbollah-Israel Tensions

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France Pushes for Peace Talks Amid Hezbollah-Israel Tensions

Sejourne emphasized France’s commitment to safeguarding Lebanon, stressing the importance of restoring stability in southern Lebanon by sending the Lebanese army to the area…reports Asian Lite News

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne has called on Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel to avoid escalation, reaffirming France’s ongoing efforts to prevent the expansion of conflict between the two sides.

“We reject the worst scenario in southern Lebanon, and it is in no one’s interest for the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel to expand,” Sejourne was quoted by Lebanese TV channel Al-Jadeed as saying on Sunday.

Sejourne made the remarks after his meeting in Beirut with senior Lebanese officials, during which they discussed solutions to the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, Xinhua news agency reported.

“We have presented proposals to all partners, considered Lebanon’s response, and will wait for Israel’s response on Tuesday. An agreement must be reached in the end,” he said.

Sejourne emphasized France’s commitment to safeguarding Lebanon, stressing the importance of restoring stability in southern Lebanon by sending the Lebanese army to the area.

He said that Paris would continue to support the Lebanese army, pointing out the “decisive role” of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in “avoiding the worst scenario,” and urging all parties to allow UNIFIL to carry out its tasks.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said during his meeting with Sejourne that “the French initiative constitutes a practical framework for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” according to a statement released by the Lebanese Council of Ministers.

Mikati said Lebanon was committed to its full implementation, and demanded Israel to honor its commitments and stop its destructive aggression in southern Lebanon.

During the meeting with Sejourne, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib also underlined the importance of implementing Resolution 1701 to achieve stability.

The resolution was adopted in August 2006 to seek a full cessation of hostilities shortly after a month of deadly warfare between Israel and Hezbollah ended with a fragile truce.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas’ attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

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Israeli Delegation Heads to Cairo for Indirect Talks with Hamas

Sources in Israel’s defence ministry told IANS that they have communicated to the mediators that the IDF would not be withdrawn from the Gaza Strip…reports Asian Lite News

A delegation of senior Israeli officials led by Mossad Chief David Barnea will reach Cairo on Monday for indirect mediatory talks with Hamas.

The Hamas delegation will also reach Cairo on Monday with Qatar and Egypt taking the lead for the mediation regarding the release of hostages and temporary ceasefire talks in the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel.

Hamas, according to Arab media have in principle agreed to the release of a minimum of 33 hostages. The hostages include women, old people, sick and men above the age of fifty. Hamas has demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. This includes those arrested with grave offences, including murder.

Sources in Israel’s defence ministry told IANS that they have communicated to the mediators that the IDF would not be withdrawn from the Gaza Strip.

Israel, it may be recalled, has already called upon the Hamas side not to drag its feet from the release of hostages and has stated that if Hamas backs out from the deal then the Rafah ground operations will be imminent.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have already deployed its elite Nehal brigade in the Rafah region and are waiting for the outcome of the talks in Cairo.

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has already shared the country‘s apprehensions of an Israeli attack in the Rafah region with the American Secretary of State, Antony Blinken during his last visit to Cairo.

Blinken has reached Saudi Arabia on a two-day visit and will be communicating with both the Egyptian and Qatar mediators regarding the temporary ceasefire.

ALSO READ-32 more killed in Gaza as Hamas studies new Israeli truce proposal

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32 more killed in Gaza as Hamas studies new Israeli truce proposal

The Israeli military has massed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles in southern Israel close to Rafah and hit locations in the city in near-daily airstrikes….reports Asian Lite News

Palestinians in Rafah said on Saturday they were living in “constant terror” as Israel vows to push ahead with its planned assault on the south Gaza city flooded with displaced civilians.

The Israeli military has massed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles in southern Israel close to Rafah and hit locations in the city in near-daily airstrikes.

“We live in constant terror and fear of repeated displacement and invasion,” said Nidaa Safi, 30, who fled Israeli strikes in the north and came to Rafah with her husband and children.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said at least 34,388 people have been killed in the besieged territory during more than six months of war between Israel and Hamas militants.

The tally includes at least 32 deaths in the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said, adding that 77,437 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war broke out when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

Early Saturday, an airstrike hit a house in Rafah’s Tel Sultan neighborhood, killing a man, his wife and their sons, ages 12, 10 and 8, according to records of the Abu Yousef Al-Najjar hospital’s morgue. A neighbor’s 4-month-old girl was also killed.

Ahmed Omar rushed with other neighbors after the 1:30 a.m. strike to look for survivors, but said they only found bodies and body parts. “It’s a tragedy,” he said.

An Israeli airstrike later Saturday on a building in Rafah killed seven people, including six members of the Ashour family, according to the morgue.

Five people were killed in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza overnight when an Israeli strike hit a house, according to officials at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed two Palestinian men at a checkpoint in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the military said. It said the men had opened fire at troops stationed at Salem checkpoint near the city of Jenin.

Violence in the West Bank has flared since the war. The Ramallah-based Health Ministry says 491 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire.

Hamas said it was studying Israel’s latest counterproposal for a ceasefire, a day after reports said a delegation from mediator Egypt was in Israel trying to jump-start stalled negotiations.

Israel’s foreign minister said that the Rafah incursion could be suspended should there be a deal to secure the release of Israeli hostages.

“The release of the hostages is the top priority for us,” said Israel Katz. “If there will be a deal, we will suspend the operation.”

The Egyptian delegation discussed a “new vision” for a prolonged ceasefire in Gaza, according to an Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss the developments.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Israel’s proposal was directly related to the visit.

Khalil Al-Hayya, deputy head of Hamas’s political arm in Gaza, said it had “received the official Zionist occupation response to the movement’s position, which was delivered to the Egyptian and Qatari mediators on April 13.”

Negotiations earlier this month centered on a six-week ceasefire proposal and the release of 40 civilian and sick hostages in exchange for freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

A separate Hamas statement said leaders from the three main militant groups active in Gaza discussed attempts to end the war. It didn’t mention the Israeli proposal.

The armed wing of Hamas also released video footage of two men held hostage in Gaza, identified by Israeli campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum as Keith Siegel and Omri Miran.

Mediators are working on a compromise that will answer most of both parties’ main demands, which could pave the way to continued negotiations with the goal of a deal to end the war, the official said.

Hamas has said it won’t back down from demands for a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Israel has rejected both and said it will continue military operations until Hamas is defeated and that it will retain a security presence in Gaza.

There is growing international pressure for Hamas and Israel to reach a ceasefire deal and avert an Israeli attack on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have sought refuge.

Israel has insisted for months it plans a ground offensive into Rafah, on the border with Egypt, where it says many remaining Hamas militants remain, despite calls for restraint including from Israel’s staunchest ally, the United States.

Egypt has cautioned an offensive into Rafah could have “catastrophic consequences” on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where famine is feared, and on regional peace and security.

Washington has been critical of Israeli policies in the West Bank. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is expected in Israel on Tuesday, recently determined an army unit committed rights abuses there before the war in Gaza.

ALSO READ: British troops may deliver Gaza aid

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White House ‘Appalled’ By Student Leader’s ‘Kill Zionists’ Comment

Student leader Khymani James was heard saying in a video in January this year that “Zionists don’t deserve to live” and that people should “be grateful that I’m not just going out and murdering Zionists.”

At a time when varsities in the United States are rocked by pro-Palestinian protests, the White House has come in for strong criticism of the “appaling and dangerous” comments made by a student leader of the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, according to The Hill.

“These dangerous, appalling statements turn the stomach and should serve as a wakeup call. It is hideous to advocate for the murder of Jews,” White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement on Friday.

“President Biden has been clear that violent rhetoric, hate speech, and antisemitic remarks have no place in America whatsoever, and he will always stand against them,” he said.

“Calls of violence and statements targeted at individuals based on their religious, ethnic, or national identity are unacceptable and violate university policy,” the spokersperson said.

Student leader Khymani James was heard saying in a video in January this year that “Zionists don’t deserve to live” and that people should “be grateful that I’m not just going out and murdering Zionists,” according to The Hill.

In a social media post on Friday, Khymani expressed regret and said that his remarks were “wrong.”

James’ remarks coincided with a meeting he had with school administrators on a social media post he had made about battling a Zionist.

“I don’t fight to injure or for there to be a winner or a loser, I fight to kill,” James said at that time.

In a social media post on Friday, the student expressed regret and said that his remarks were “wrong.”

Earlier on Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson called for the resignation of Columbia University’s president amid ongoing demonstrations sparked by pro-Palestinian sentiments at major American universities, reported CNN.

However, protesters at Columbia University, where demonstrations ignited last week, demand the severance of ties with Israeli academic institutions and a complete divestment from entities linked to Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasised the need for order on campus, stating that if the university president cannot restore calm, she should resign. However, student reactions to this call for resignation are varied, with some expressing willingness to continue working with her. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Israel’s Ultimatum: Release 33 Hostages or Face Rafah Assault

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Israel’s Ultimatum: Release 33 Hostages or Face Rafah Assault

Israel, citing its internal report, has said that of the 129 Israeli hostages, there are 33 people who fall in the category of aged, women, and ill.

Israel has demanded the release of at least 33 hostages by Hamas to prevent the planned attack on the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.

Sources in the Israeli Defence Ministry told IANS that the demand was put forward by Mossad chief David Barnea before the visiting Egyptian delegation headed by its intelligence chief Major General Abbas Kamel.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has already expressed his country’s concern over the planned attack on Rafah to the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the latter’s recent visit to Cairo.

Egypt fears that an attack on the Rafah region would lead to civilian catastrophe as well as a huge refugee exodus to Egypt as Rafah borders the Sinai region of the country.

Israel, citing its internal report, has said that of the 129 Israeli hostages, there are 33 people who fall in the category of aged, women, and ill. According to Israel, many of the 129 hostages are dead.

Israel has also said that it would not allow any time buying tactics by Hamas led by Yahya Sinwar, its military commander and the “mastermind of the October 7, 2023 massacre”.

Israeli intelligence has claimed that Sinwar is in Rafah in one of the Hamas tunnels with the Israeli hostages as human shields.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has already deployed its elite Nahal Brigade in Rafah ahead of the planned attack.

ALSO READ: UK slaps fresh sanctions on Iran after Israel attack

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UK slaps fresh sanctions on Iran after Israel attack

The package of sanctions has been announced in co-ordination with the US and Canada, and follows Iran’s missile and drone attack against Israel earlier this month…reports Asian Lite News

The UK has announced sanctions against individuals and companies linked to Iran’s drone and missile industry. Two people linked to the country’s network of drone production, Seyed Mohsen Vahabzadeh Moghadam and Abbas Abdi Asjerd, will be subject to a UK travel ban and asset freeze.

The pair are directors of a network of Iranian companies involved in producing drones.

They also have connections to a man named Abdollah Mehrabi, head of an aerospace force within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who was sanctioned in 2022 for providing drones to Russia. Four companies – Bonyan Danesh Shargh, Pishro Sanat Aseman Sharif Company, Alvand Motorbuilding Industries Company and Moj Gostar Aseman Parvaz Company – will also face a UK asset freeze.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said: “The Iranian regime’s dangerous attack on Israel risked thousands of civilian casualties and wider escalation in the region. Today the UK and our partners have sent a clear message – we will hold those responsible for Iran’s destabilising behaviour to account. Alongside our partners, we will continue to tighten the net on Iran’s ability to develop and export these deadly weapons.”

The package of sanctions has been announced in co-ordination with the US and Canada, and follows Iran’s missile and drone attack against Israel earlier this month.

A similar set of restrictions were announced on April 18, aimed at Iranian military top brass and defence organisations. G7 foreign ministers, including Lord Cameron, last week warned they were planning joint action in order to stifle Iran’s influence in the Middle East.

More than 400 sanctions have already been imposed on Iran by the UK, including on the entirety of the IRGC. The UK has further plans to expand trade sanctions against the Iranian regime by introducing a ban on exporting the component parts used in drone and missile production to Iran.

This is intended to deny Iran access to the parts it needs to make these weapons and limit its military capabilities.

Meanwhile, a Greek navy frigate fired on two drones approaching the ship in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday morning – one was shot down.

The second unmanned aerial vehicle then turned away, as reported by Greek radio (ERT), citing the Ministry of Defence in Athens. The frigate is continuing its mission, it added.

The frigate was escorting a merchant ship as part of the EU naval mission Aspides, which aims to protect merchant ships from attacks by the militant Islamist Houthi from Yemen.

The Gulf of Aden, off the Yemeni coast, links the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea.

Houthi militants have been attacking ships in the Red Sea region in what they say is retaliation for Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip.

Major shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe and sailing the much longer journey around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope instead.

The Iran-backed Houthi militia say they want to force an end to the Israeli attacks in Gaza, which followed the unprecedented massacre by the Palestinian Islamist organisation Hamas last October.

Several Western countries, including the United States and Britain, have launched operations to protect ships in the region in response to the Houthi attacks. The European Union has also deployed a military operation to secure merchant shipping in the Red Sea.

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