The Turkish-Qatari “Goodness Ship” set off yesterday, Wednesday, from the Turkish port of Mersin, carrying humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The ship, which was equipped by the Qatar Fund for Development, civil society organizations and the Turkish Ministry of Health in coordination with the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), carries 1,900 tons of humanitarian aid.

In his speech during the ship’s farewell ceremony, Turkish Deputy Interior Minister Munir Karaloglu said that Israel has committed crimes against humanity and genocide through its continuous attacks on Gaza since October 7 of last year.

Karaloglu explained that the report announced by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on May 1 indicates that 34,568 people have been killed in the ongoing attacks in Gaza.

He stressed that Turkey will continue to stand by the "just cause of Palestine" in all international forums, indicating that the Turkish people will not be able to remain idly in the face of the suffering of the Palestinian people.

He continued: "This ship was equipped in cooperation between Turkey and the Qatar Fund for Development. There are 1,900 tons of aid materials on this ship. 1,400 tons of this aid were provided by the Qatar Fund for Development and the rest by Turkey."

Karaloglu added: "Our hope is that a permanent ceasefire will be reached as soon as possible, and that our brothers in Gaza will continue to live in peace in their land and hometown. We hope that the aid we are sending will meet their needs and be a balm for their wounds."

For her part, Minister of State for International Cooperation in the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lulwah Rashid Al Khater, said that the aid provided to the Gaza Strip is a humanitarian duty.

Referring to the events at the Rafah border crossing, Al Khater said: “The Rafah municipality witnessed brutal attacks and interventions by the Israeli occupation forces in the past few days.”

She continued, "They took control of the border crossing, and are still preventing passage through it. They are also killing people and forcing them to emigrate. There is an unprecedented tragedy taking place in the region."

Al-Khater considered that the Turkish-Qatari charity ship to Gaza is an indication of the common vision between the two countries.

She continued: "We, as the State of Qatar, appreciate all the efforts made by our sister Turkey. We cooperate with it on many issues that can benefit millions around the world."

Al Khater expressed her "extreme pride in the level of advanced strategic relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkey."

She added: "The strength that fuels these relations results from cooperation and mutual solidarity, and the commonalities between our two brotherly peoples are many. Our cooperation continues with regard to our common interests and the stability and security of the region."

The ship of goodness is expected to arrive at the Egyptian port of Al-Arish, which is the closest area to Gaza, within approximately two days.

The aid will be transported from the ship to the Rafah border gate by trucks.

Following customs clearance, the aid will be delivered to the Palestinian Red Crescent to be distributed to those in need in Gaza.

Since October 7, Israel has been waging a war on Gaza, leaving about 113,000 people dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and about 10,000 missing amid massive destruction and famine that claimed the lives of children and the elderly.