al said yacht position

Yacht, IMO 9463774

• VesselFinder
• Miscellaneous

The current position of AL SAID is at Arabian Sea reported 21 days ago by AIS. The vessel AL SAID (IMO 9463774, MMSI 461001000) is a Yacht built in 2008 (16 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Oman .

Position & Voyage Data

Map position & weather, recent port calls, vessel particulars.

AL SAID current position and history of port calls are received by AIS. Technical specifications, tonnages and management details are derived from VesselFinder database. The data is for informational purposes only and VesselFinder is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of AL SAID data.

Current Trip

Sultan qaboos.

Current Position

Information.

The current position of AL SAID is in Gulf of Oman with coordinates 23.86312° / 58.49692° as reported on 2019-11-06 12:43 by AIS to our vessel tracker app. The vessel's current speed is 13.4 Knots and is currently inside the port of SULTAN QABOOS .

The vessel AL SAID (IMO: 9463774, MMSI: 461001000) is a Yacht that was built in 2008 ( 16 years old ) . It's sailing under the flag of [OM] Oman .

In this page you can find informations about the vessels current position, last detected port calls, and current voyage information. If the vessels is not in coverage by AIS you will find the latest position.

The current position of AL SAID is detected by our AIS receivers and we are not responsible for the reliability of the data. The last position was recorded while the vessel was in Coverage by the Ais receivers of our vessel tracking app.

The current draught of AL SAID as reported by AIS is 6 meters

Featured Company

Last port calls, most visited ports (last year).

AL SAID (IMO 9463774 ) - Yacht

What are al said ship details.

AL SAID (IMO: 9463774) is a Yacht registered and sailing under the flag of Oman . Her gross tonnage is 15850 and deadweight is 0 . AL SAID was built in 2008 . AL SAID length overall (LOA) is 155 m, beam is 24 m. Her container capacity is 0 TEU. The ship is operated by ROYAL YACHTS SQUADRON .

Where is AL SAID current position?

AL SAID current position is received by AIS and displayed on next chart by using of VesselFinder services.

Vessel details for AL SAID

All details and current position are for informational purposes and VesselTracking is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of AL SAID data values.

AL SAID (IMO: 9463774) - Service Ship

AL SAID (IMO: 9463774 ) is a Service Ship registered and sailing under the flag of Oman. AL SAID was built in 2008. AL SAID vessel length overall (LOA) is 155m, beam is 23m.

• Actual Position, Shipyards & Docking Forecast
• Technical Data
• Performance & Working hours
• Portcalls & Visits

Visited Shipyards

Current position and nearby shipyards.

Docking History & Class Renewal Forecast

• Classification
• Main Engine

Vessel news

Sailing time (hours)

Please log in to see more information

Currently no information available.

2008 IMO 9463774 🇴🇲  Oman

Description.

The current position of AL SAID is at coordinates 23.6246 N / 58.5652 E , reported 26 minutes ago by AIS .

The vessel AL SAID ( IMO: 9463774 , MMSI 461001000 ) was built in 2008 (16 years old) and is currently sailing under the flag of Oman .

Specifications

Identification, dimensions & design, gear / pumps / cranes / grabs.

Find anything, super fast.

• Destinations
• Documentaries

Motor Yacht

Al Said is a 155m motor yacht which was custom built in 2008 by Lurssen Yachts in Bremen. This magnificent yacht features exterior styling by Espen Oeino, with interior design by Redman Whitely Dixon.

Like most royal superyachts, little is known about Al Said, a giant mega yacht formerly codenamed "Project Sunflower". She was delivered to the Sultan of Oman in 2008 as a replacement for a smaller mega yacht of the same name.

At a stunning 155m, Al Said consists of six large decks and features striking exterior and interior design by Espen Oeino International, the same company that designed the stunning 127m mega yacht Octopus. 

Al Said has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure with a beam of 24m (78.74ft) and a 5.20m (17.06ft) draft. The mega yacht is capable of 25 knots flat out, with a cruising speed of 22 knots.

According to reports, Al Said is said to accommodate as many as 70 guests and 154 professional crew, as well as featuring a concert room capable of accommodating a 50 piece orchestra. She is also capable of carrying up to 154 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.  

• Yacht Builder Lurssen Yachts View profile
• Naval Architect Lurssen Yachts View profile
• Exterior Designer Espen Oeino View profile
• Interior Designer RWD No profile available

Yacht Specs

Other lurssen yachts, related news.

• Entertainment
• Latest Mortgage Rates
• Credit Cards
• Restaurants
• Food & Drink
• Lamborghini
• Aston Martin
• Rolls Royce
• Harley Davidson
• Honda Motorcycles
• BMW Motorcycles
• Triumph Motorcycles
• Indian Motorcycles
• Patek Philippe
• A. Lange & Söhne
• Audemars Piguet
• Jaeger-LeCoultre
• Vacheron Constantin
• Electronics
• Collectibles

A Closer Look at the $300 Million Superyacht Al Said

Have you ever wished that you could own your very own superyacht? Well, how about one that's the 7th longest yacht in the entire world and accommodates more guests and even many more professional crew members than almost all of the other yachts in the world ? In fact, you might not even have enough friends on earth to fill this massive yacht! And, all you have to be is a Sultan to be able to afford it! Then, you could travel the oceans of the world in comfort and luxury and never have to go back home and live the regular life! Hmm, we can certainly dream about the good life, can't we?

Built by Lurssen

According to Superyacht Times , the motor yacht Al Said was ordered in 2006 and then it was built by Lurssen . Her code name at that time was Project Sunflower during her construction. Once completed, she was named after her very wealthy owner. She's one of the largest superyachts in the world , especially when measured by volume. She accommodates an amazing 65 guests plus 140 crew members and was designed by world-renowned yacht designer, Espen Oeino. She's powered by two MTU marine engines that create a total of 22,000 horsepower for a cruising speed of 14 knots.

Delivered in 2008

The superyacht Al Said was delivered in 2008 to the Sultan of Oman. She replaced a smaller mega- yacht that, at one time, had the exact same name. At an amazing 155m, she has six exceptionally large decks and both her exterior and interior are quite striking. They were designed by Espen Oeino International. That's actually the same company responsible for the designing of the 127m mega-yacht called Octopus.

A Steel Hull & 25 Knots to Boot!

The Al Said sports a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure. She has a beam of 24m (78.74ft) and a draft of 5.20m (17.06ft). This is a superyacht that's capable of doing 25 knots flat-out and also has a cruising speed of 22 knots.

Lots of Guests & Crew

According to reports, this superyacht is capable of accommodating up to 70 guests and 154 professional crewmembers for ensuring the ultimate in relaxed luxury yacht experiences for all guests onboard. She also features a massive concert room that accommodates an entire 50-piece orchestra! Now, that's something you probably won't find on any other superyacht!

Based in Muscat

According to the Robb Report , the majority of the time, the Royal Yacht Al Said will be based in the Sultan Qaboos Port, which is near Muscat. When the royal yacht does travel anywhere, she does so with an escort and that escort is the Oman Navy. Now, how many yachts do you know of that have their own royal Navy escort?

About the Owner

The owner of the Royal Yacht Al Said is the Sultan of Oman (and all of its Dependencies) after rising to power by overthrowing his own father, Said bin Taimur during a 1970 palace coup. (What a nice guy, right?) He's also the 14th-generation descendant of the Al Bu Sa'idi dynasty's founder. Oman (aka the Sultanate of Oman) is, of course, an Arab country in the Middle East that lies on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula as well as on the Persian Gulf. As you may have already guessed, it's an absolute monarchy, which was once known as the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. It also once included portions of what is now the United Arab Emirates and certain parts of Pakistan. This also a country with very close ties to Saudi Arabia, often functioning as an impartial mediator between Saudi Arabia and countries like Qatar and Iran or Qatar. In addition, the country has a Royal Military Academy that is really highly-regarded.

The Sultan's full title is Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said and, he also owns eight palaces and three luxury yachts. Besides the Al Said, he also owns the Loalat al Behar and the Fulk al Salamah. The Loaloat Al Behar was the prior Al Said, which was a gift to the Ministry of Tourism of Oman and has been recently refitted and repainted. The Fulk Al Salamah Yacht functions as a support vessel for the Royal Yacht Al Said. She was built in Italy at the Mariotti shipyard and delivered in 2016. At 150 meter (492 ft) she's actually almost as big overall as the yacht Al Said and one of the largest superyachts worldwide.

Other Royal Toys

Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said is also the owner of a Boeing 747 private jumbo jet, (registration A4O-OMN), which was built in 2001. In addition, he owns another 747 that was built in 2012 (registration A4O-HMS). However, since it wasn't painted with the ‘royal colors’, he mainly uses his older jet.

Sultan of Oman- Net Worth

Sultan Qaboos al Said's net worth is estimated to be in excess of US$ 1 billion. (Not bad.)

Superyacht Al Said Specs

• Type: Motor Yacht
• Model: Custom
• Builder: Lurssen Yachts
• Naval Architect: Lurssen Yachts
• Exterior Designers: Espen Oeino
• Interior Designer: RWD
• Year Built: 2008
• Hull #: 13644
• Hull Color: White
• Length Overall: 155.00m (508'6"ft)
• Beam: 24.00m (78'8"ft)
• Maximum Draft: 5.20m (17'0"ft)
• Gross Tonnage: 15,850
• Accommodations-
• # of Guests: 70
• Crew accommodations: 154
• # of Cabins: 30 cabins total
• Construction-
• Hull Material: Steel
• Superstructure: Aluminum
• Decks #: Six
• Quantity: 2
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Engines Manufacturer: MTU Marine Engines
• Power per engine: 10996hp / 8200kW
• Total Power: 21992hp / 16400kW
• Performance & Capabilities-
• Max Speed: 25.00 knots Cruising Speed: 22.00 knots

Not For Charter

This yacht is not for charter. However, if you would like to see this yacht's current location in real-time, just go to this site. That way, you could live vicariously thru the Sultan, his guests, and crew members. Sure, it would be better to be there but tracking its location just might have to suffice for today.

Written by  Garrett Parker

Related articles, a closer look at david and victoria beckham's yacht seafair.

The Top 20 Celebrity Yachts in The World

17 Most Expensive Yachts in the World

A closer look at tankoa's t500 tethys, a closer look at x-yachts new x49e electric sailing boat, check out camper and nicholsons international's 120 ft tecnomar superyacht "lucy", sirena's new fully customizable 78-foot yacht, what boat characteristics make it a yacht.

Wealth Insight! Subscribe to our Exclusive Newsletter

Please use a modern browser to view this website. Some elements might not work as expected when using Internet Explorer.

• Landing Page
• Luxury Yacht Vacation Types
• Corporate Yacht Charter
• Tailor Made Vacations
• Luxury Exploration Vacations
• View All 3568
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yachts
• Classic Yachts
• Catamaran Yachts
• Filter By Destination
• More Filters
• Latest Reviews
• Charter Special Offers
• Destination Guides
• Inspiration & Features
• Mediterranean Charter Yachts
• France Charter Yachts
• Italy Charter Yachts
• Croatia Charter Yachts
• Greece Charter Yachts
• Turkey Charter Yachts
• Bahamas Charter Yachts
• Caribbean Charter Yachts
• Australia Charter Yachts
• Thailand Charter Yachts
• Dubai Charter Yachts
• Destination News
• New To Fleet
• Charter Fleet Updates
• Special Offers
• Industry News
• Yacht Shows
• Corporate Charter
• Finding a Yacht Broker
• Charter Preferences
• Questions & Answers
• Add my yacht

NOT FOR CHARTER *

This Yacht is not for Charter*

SIMILAR YACHTS FOR CHARTER

View Similar Yachts

Or View All luxury yachts for charter

• Luxury Charter Yachts
• Motor Yachts for Charter
• Amenities & Toys

AL SAID yacht NOT for charter*

155m  /  508'6 | lurssen | 2008.

Owner & Guests

• Previous Yacht

Special Features:

• Elevator for convenient access
• Master cabin with dressing room and study
• Impressive 7,700nm range
• State-of-the-art cinema
• Twenty-six cabins

The 155m/508'6" motor yacht 'Al Said' was built by Lurssen in Germany at their Vegesack shipyard. Her interior is styled by British designer design house RWD and she was delivered to her owner in March 2008. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Espen Oeino.

Guest Accommodation

Al Said has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 70 guests in 26 suites. The master suite incorporates its own study and dressing room. She is also capable of carrying up to 174 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Her features include conference facilities, movie theatre, elevator, underwater lights, deck jacuzzi, WiFi and air conditioning.

Range & Performance

Al Said is built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. Powered by twin diesel MTU (20V 8000 M70) 20-cylinder 11,149hp engines running at 1150rpm, she comfortably cruises at 20 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 22 knots with a range of up to 7,700 nautical miles from her 1,420,000 litre fuel tanks at 20 knots. Al Said features at-anchor stabilizers providing exceptional comfort levels. Her water tanks store around 750,000 Litres of fresh water. She was built to Lloyds Register classification society rules.

*Charter Al Said Motor Yacht

Motor yacht Al Said is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

Al Said Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

Al Said Photos

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

M/Y Al Said

SIMILAR LUXURY YACHTS FOR CHARTER

Here are a selection of superyachts which are similar to Al Said yacht which are believed to be available for charter. To view all similar luxury charter yachts click on the button below.

115m | Lurssen

from $2,824,000 p/week ♦︎

107m | Olympic Yacht Services

from $2,172,000 p/week ♦︎

136m | Lurssen

from $4,356,000 p/week ♦︎

108m | Benetti

from $1,960,000 p/week ♦︎

122m | Lurssen

from $3,000,000 p/week

Renaissance

112m | Freire Shipyard

As Featured In

The YachtCharterFleet Difference

YachtCharterFleet makes it easy to find the yacht charter vacation that is right for you. We combine thousands of yacht listings with local destination information, sample itineraries and experiences to deliver the world's most comprehensive yacht charter website.

San Francisco

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on Instagram
• Find us on LinkedIn
• Add My Yacht
• Affiliates & Partners

Popular Destinations & Events

• St Tropez Yacht Charter
• Monaco Yacht Charter
• St Barts Yacht Charter
• Greece Yacht Charter
• Mykonos Yacht Charter
• Caribbean Yacht Charter

Featured Charter Yachts

• Maltese Falcon Yacht Charter
• Wheels Yacht Charter
• Victorious Yacht Charter
• Andrea Yacht Charter
• Titania Yacht Charter
• Ahpo Yacht Charter

Receive our latest offers, trends and stories direct to your inbox.

Please enter a valid e-mail.

Thanks for subscribing.

Search for Yachts, Destinations, Events, News... everything related to Luxury Yachts for Charter.

Yachts in your shortlist

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• Boat Pro Home
• Pricing Plan
• Superyacht Insight
• Product Features
• Premium Content
• Testimonials
• Global Order Book
• Tenders & Equipment

AL SAID is a 155.0 m Motor Yacht, built in Germany by Lurssen and delivered in 2008.

Her top speed is 25.0 kn and her cruising speed is 22.0 kn and her power comes from a MTU diesel engine. She can accommodate up to 70 guests, with 200 crew members. She has a gross tonnage of 15850.0 GT and a 24.0 m beam.

She was designed by Espen Oeino International , who has designed 66 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database.

The naval architecture was developed by Lurssen , who has architected 69 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database, and the interior of the yacht was designed by RWD , who has 64 other superyacht interiors designed in the BOAT Pro database - she is built with a Teak deck, a Steel hull, and Aluminium and Steel superstructure.

AL SAID is the 7th longest yacht in the world. She is one of 70 motor yachts longer than 100m, and, compared to similarly sized motor yachts, her cruising speed is 5.95 kn above the average, her top speed 5.14 kn above the average, and her volume 8644.86 GT above the average.

AL SAID is currently sailing under the Oman flag (along with a total of other 11 yachts). She is known to be an active superyacht and has most recently been spotted cruising near Oman. For more information regarding AL SAID's movements, find out more about BOAT Pro AIS .

Specifications

• Name: AL SAID
• Yacht Type: Motor Yacht
• Builder: Lurssen
• Naval Architect: Lurssen
• Exterior Designer: Espen Oeino International
• Interior Designer: RWD

Yacht featured in

Yachts like this, from our partners, sponsored listings.

Important note: for the migration of FleetMon products into MarineTraffic platform, we are discontinuing all account logins here by 25.02.2024 . Please ensure, that you have saved or migrated all data from FleetMon platform and that your MarineTraffic account is ready for your future use.

If you are interested in general access please check here and for Global AIS data & inteligence to power your projects please go here .

• Member since Nov 2013
• Free Territory of Trieste in Italy
• Latest Event ●●●●●● All Events
• AIS Name AL SAID
• IMO 9463774
• MMSI 461001000
• Callsign A4DE
• Year Built 2008
• Length 155 m
• Draught 5.6 m / 3.6 m / 25.5 m Avg/Min/Max
• Speed 12.3 kn / 18.3 kn Avg/Max
• Deadweight ●●●●●●
• Gross Tonnage ●●●●●●
• AIS Class —

Current Voyage & ETA Changes

Current location, position received, navigation status, eta sent by vessel ais, eta calculated by fleetmon, vessel and fleetmon eta difference, actual time of arrival, 2 photos for yacht al said.

• Vessel Datasheet
• ETA Reports Log
• Port Call Log
• Historical Track
• CO2 Emission Log

Do you know more about the AL SAID?

Share your knowledge with the community. Information will be published after a short review.

Last Update: 29 Aug 2023, 12:31:44 UTC The following users contributed to this datasheet: miraflores , gerd1824 , JackDryden , U-kasz , UrbanBatic ,

Generic Vessel data

Capacities tonnage and cargo facilities, historical data, contacts ship communication, wiki further interesting facts, incidents, history and more.

• Pricing & Plans
• Vessel Database
• Chartering Position List
• Vessel Photos
• Vessel Fleets
• Port Database
• Port Coverage
• Business Register
• Live Tracking

Tracking & Monitoring

• Fleet Management
• Event Alerting
• CO2 Emission
• Vessel Schedules
• Port Calls Log
• Vessel Events
• SAP Freigth Monitor
• FleetMon Explorer
• Zone Monitoring
• GPS Satellite Trackers
• Historical Tracks
• Route & ETA by FleetMon
• Planned Arrivals

API & Developers

• FleetMon API

Business Intelligence

• Maritime News

Be Part of FleetMon

• Community Dashboard
• AIS Partner

Help & Support

More fleetmon.

• Research & Development
• Press & Media
• Jobs & Careers

Share Vessel AL SAID

Vessels See all 0 Vessels

My last visited vessels, my last visited ports, top visited vessels.

Dear valued user,

As you are aware of our migration project of FleetMon into MarineTraffic, we have almost finalized all necessary steps. The discontinuation of all FleetMon product offerings is imminent.

Therefore, we are terminating our product offering here and a login is no more possible.

If you have not yet accepted our offering for an assisted migration and you need help to set up your account on MarineTraffic, please reach out to us:

• either via this request form
• or by email

If you need any last-minute transfer of your MyFleet or MyAreas please contact us, and we will assist you in a smooth transfer and minimise any disruptions for you.

We are excited to inform you about the merger between FleetMon and MarineTraffic, which will give you more services and tools in your online account. To make sure you have a seamless and effortless transition, our FleetMon Support Team will be taking care of the process for you.

We will create a new MarineTraffic account using the information from your FleetMon account. This includes your username, name, email address, address, telephone and mobile number, as well as your company name and affiliation (if applicable). After you log in to your new MarineTraffic account, we kindly ask you to reset your password for added security. Of course, you will continue to be able to use your FleetMon account for the time being (we will let you know the next steps about this at a later date).

Rest assured, all your subscriptions, whether monthly or yearly, will be matched accordingly. Your My Fleets and Tags, along with your Credit Points, will also be transferred to your new MarineTraffic account. Additionally, we will assist you in smoothly transferring your My Zones.

With your new MarineTraffic account, you will have access to all its features and services during the remaining duration of your FleetMon subscription. If your contract with FleetMon has already expired, there's no need to worry. We are offering a free trial period of two months, allowing you to experience and explore all the fantastic features MarineTraffic has to offer before deciding on a suitable subscription plan. If you encounter any issues or have any questions, contact our support team directly. They will be more than happy to assist you with your new MarineTraffic account.

We would also like to express our appreciation to the photo community for the incredible photos you have contributed over the past few years. Your contributions are invaluable, and we want to ensure that your efforts are preserved. Therefore, we kindly ask you not to transfer the photos manually. Rest assured, we are actively working on a technical solution that will automatically match and include your uploaded photos in your new MarineTraffic account.

We understand that this merger may bring some changes to the online services you are accustomed to. However, we are confident that once you start using your new MarineTraffic account, you will be delighted with the enhanced services and capabilities it provides, making it a seamless continuation of your previous experience.

For additional information, we recommend reviewing the Terms of Service , User Agreement and Photo Copyrights provided by MarineTraffic to familiarize yourself with the details of the new services.

Your browser is out of date!

It is great that you want to track the seven seas! Unfortunatly your browser is out of date. To view our website correctly you need an up to date browser. It is a security risk for you to use an old browser by the way. Update your Browser now

WELCOME TO SHIPSPOTTING.COM X

AL SAID - IMO 9463774

Photo details

Description:

Personal yacht of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, AL SAID, berthed at Muscat, Oman, 26 Nov 2008. Launched 20 Sep 2007 under the name 'Sunflower'. Built: 2007 15,850grt 155m x 24m x 5.2m 22 knots cruise 25 knots max Crew: 16 officers, 158 enlisted Owner: Sultanate of Oman (Royal Yacht Squadron, Oman).

Vessel particulars

Former name(s):

 -    Sunflower   (Until 2008 Mar )

AIS Position of this ship

There is no AIS Position Data available for this ship!

Would you like to add AIS Coverage?

Photo Categories

This ship exists in the following categories:

Motor Yachts from 65 feet or 20 m LOA - 70 photos

Ships under Repair or Conversion - 6 photos

Ships under Construction - 5 photos

_ Ship Crests - 1 photos

Photographers of this ship

Pieter_Inpijn

Holger Jaschob

Wil Weijsters

Eerik Laine

Tomasello Letterio

Roman Maruhn

Eddie Walker

Manuel Hernandez Lafuente

John Wilson

Angel Luis Godar Moreira

Cornelia Klier

Clive Harvey

Valentic Boris

Vincent TPT

josip botica

Axel aus Do

J.M.DOMINGUEZ

Trygve Eriksen

Claus Schaefe

Rolf Bridde

More of this ship (81)

COMMENT THIS PHOTO (0)

Highlights From SpaceX’s Starship Test Flight

The powerful rocket, a version of which will carry astronauts to the moon for NASA, launched for the third time on Thursday morning. It achieved a number of milestones before losing contact with the ground.

• Share full article

Kenneth Chang

Here’s what happened during the third test flight of the most powerful rocket ever built.

Spacex launches starship for third time, the rocket, a version of which will eventually carry nasa astronauts to the moon, traveled almost halfway around the earth before it was lost as it re-entered the atmosphere..

“Five, four, three, two, three, one.” “This point, we’ve already passed through Max-Q, maximum dynamic pressure. And passing supersonic, so we’re now moving faster than the speed of sound. Getting those on-board views from the ship cameras. Boosters now making its way back, seeing six engines ignited on ship. Kate, we got a Starship on its way to space and a booster on the way back to the Gulf.” “Oh, man. I need a moment to pick my jaw up from the floor because these views are just stunning.”

The third try turned out to be closer to the charm for Elon Musk and SpaceX, as his company’s mammoth Starship rocket launched on Thursday and traveled about halfway around the Earth before it was lost as it re-entered the atmosphere.

The test flight achieved several key milestones in the development of the vehicle, which could alter the future of space transportation and help NASA return astronauts to the moon.

This particular flight was not, by design, intended to make it all the way around the Earth. At 8:25 a.m. Central time, Starship — the biggest and most powerful rocket ever to fly — lifted off from the coast of South Texas. The ascent was smooth, with the upper Starship stage reaching orbital velocities. About 45 minutes after launch, it started re-entering the atmosphere, heading toward a belly-flop splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

Live video, conveyed in near real-time via SpaceX’s Starlink satellites , showed red-hot gases heating the underside of the vehicle. Then, 49 minutes after launch, communications with Starship ended, and SpaceX later said the vehicle had not survived the re-entry, presumably disintegrating and falling into the ocean.

Even so, Bill Nelson, the administrator of NASA, congratulated SpaceX on what he called a “successful test flight” of the system his agency is counting on for some of its Artemis lunar missions.

SpaceX aims to make both the vehicle’s lower rocket booster and the upper spacecraft stage capable of flying over and over again — a stark contrast to the single-launch throwaway rockets that have been used for most of the space age.

That reusability gives SpaceX the potential to drive down the cost of lofting satellites and telescopes, as well as people and the things they need to live in space.

Completing most of the short jaunt was a reassuring validation that the rocket’s design appears to be sound. Not only is Starship crucial for NASA’s lunar plans, it is the key to Mr. Musk’s pipe dream of sending people to live on Mars.

For Mr. Musk, the success also harks back to his earlier reputation as a technological visionary who led breakthrough advances at Tesla and SpaceX, a contrast with his troubled purchase of Twitter and the polarizing social media quagmire that has followed since he transformed the platform and renamed it X. Even as SpaceX launched its next-generation rocket, the social media company was dueling with Don Lemon , a former CNN anchor who was sharing clips from a combative interview with Mr. Musk.

SpaceX still needs to pull off a series of formidable rocketry firsts before Starship is ready to head to the moon and beyond. Earlier this week, Mr. Musk said he hoped for at least six more Starship flights this year, during which some of those experiments may occur.

But if it achieves them all, the company could again revolutionize the space transportation business and leave competitors far behind.

Phil Larson, a White House space adviser during the Obama administration who also previously worked on communication efforts at SpaceX, said Starship’s size and reusability had “massive potential to change the game in transportation to orbit. And it could enable whole new classes of missions.”

NASA is counting on Starship to serve as the lunar lander for Artemis III, a mission that will take astronauts to the surface of the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. That journey is currently scheduled for late 2026 but seems likely to slide to 2027 or later.

The third flight was a marked improvement from the first two launch attempts.

Last April, Starship made it off the launchpad, but a cascade of engine failures and fires in the booster led to the rocket’s destruction 24 miles above the Gulf of Mexico.

In November, the second Starship launch traveled much farther. All 33 engines in the Super Heavy booster worked properly during ascent, and after a successful separation, the upper Starship stage nearly made it to orbital velocities. However, both stages ended up exploding.

Nonetheless, Mr. Musk hailed both test flights as successes, as they provided data that helped engineers improve the design.

Thursday’s launch — which coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the founding of SpaceX — occurred 85 minutes into a 110-minute launch window. The 33 engines in the booster ignited at the launch site outside Brownsville, Texas, and lifted the rocket, which was as tall as a 40-story building, into the morning sky.

Most of the flight proceeded smoothly, and a number of test objectives were achieved during the flight, like opening and closing the spacecraft’s payload doors, which will be needed to deliver cargo in the future.

SpaceX did not attempt to recover the booster this time, but did have it perform engine burns that will be needed to return to the launch site. However, the final landing burn for the booster, conducted over the Gulf of Mexico, did not fully succeed — an area that SpaceX will attempt to fix for future flights.

SpaceX said the Super Heavy disintegrated at an altitude of about 1,500 feet.

SpaceX engineers will also have to figure out why Starship did not survive re-entry and make fixes to the design of the vehicle.

Even with the partial success of Thursday’s flight, Starship is far from ready to go to Mars, or even the moon. Because of Mr. Musk’s ambitions for Mars, Starship is much larger and much more complicated than what NASA needs for its Artemis moon landings. For Artemis III, two astronauts are to spend about a week in the South Pole region of the moon.

“He had the low price,” Daniel Dumbacher, the executive director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a former high-level official at NASA, said of Mr. Musk, “and NASA chose to take the risk associated with that configuration hoping that it would work out. And we’ll see if that turns out to be true.”

To leave Earth’s orbit, Starship must have its propellant tanks refilled with liquid methane and liquid oxygen. That will require a complex choreography of additional Starship launches to take the propellants to orbit.

“This is a complicated, complicated problem, and there’s a lot that has to get sorted out, and a lot that has to work right,” Mr. Dumbacher said.

Thursday’s flight included an early test of that technology, moving liquid oxygen from one tank to another within Starship.

Mr. Dumbacher does not expect Starship to be ready by September 2026, the launch date NASA currently has for Artemis III, although he would not predict how much of a delay there might be. “I’m not going to give you a guess because there is way too much work, way too many problems to solve,” he said.

Kenneth Chang and Michael Roston

A rare sight: Starship’s bright orange glow as it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere.

Just past the 45-minute mark of the Starship vehicle’s journey through space on Thursday, something eerie happened. As it drifted high above Earth’s oceans and clouds, the spacecraft’s silvery exterior was overtaken by a brilliant and fiery orange glow.

Starship re-entering Earth's atmosphere. Views through the plasma pic.twitter.com/HEQX4eEHWH — SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 14, 2024

When a spacecraft re-enters the atmosphere, the air beneath it gets hot — hot enough that it turns into a plasma of charged particles as electrons are stripped away from the air molecules. The charged particles create picturesque glows, like neon signs.

But seeing this happen in nearly real-time during a spaceflight is uncommon. That plasma disrupts radio signals, cutting off communication.

Such blackouts happen, for instance, when SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule returns to Earth from the International Space Station with its complement of four astronauts. Mission controllers must wait with bated breath to be reassured that the spacecraft’s heat shield has held up and protected the crew during atmospheric re-entry.

Until Starship succumbed to the intense forces of re-entry on Thursday, SpaceX used its Starlink internet satellites to relay the live video feed. The Starlink satellites are in higher orbits, and sending signals upward — away from the plasma — is easier than trying to communicate through it to antennas on the ground.

But Starship wasn’t the only spacecraft in recent weeks to give us a view of plasma heating. Varda Space, a startup that is developing technology for manufacturing in orbit, had cameras on a capsule it landed on Earth on Feb. 21. Before it parachuted to the ground, its Winnebago capsule recorded a day-glow re-entry. The company retrieved the video recording from the capsule and shared it online:

Here's a video of our capsule ripping through the atmosphere at mach 25, no renders, raw footage: pic.twitter.com/ZFWzdjBwad — Varda Space Industries (@VardaSpace) February 28, 2024

Advertisement

Jeff Bezos’s rocket company could race SpaceX to the moon.

Which billionaire space company will get to the moon first: Elon Musk’s SpaceX or Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin?

At first glance, SpaceX seems to have a huge head start. It is about to launch the third test flight of Starship. A variation of Starship is scheduled to take NASA astronauts to the surface of the moon as soon as September 2026.

By contrast, Blue Origin has yet to launch anything into orbit, and its contract with NASA for a lunar lander for astronauts is for a mission that is launching in 2030.

But Blue Origin might still get there first. SpaceX faces major challenges with Starship, which is as tall as 16-story building, while Blue Origin plans to send a smaller cargo lander to the moon by the end of next year.

“This lander, we’re expecting to land on the moon between 12 and 16 months from today,” John Couluris, senior vice president of lunar permanence at Blue Origin, said during a n interview on the CBS News program “60 Minutes” this month.

The first launch of the Mark 1 version of the Blue Moon lander is what Blue Origin calls a “pathfinder” to test technologies like the BE-7 engine, the flight computers, avionics and power systems — the same systems that will be used in the much larger Mark 2 lander that will take astronauts to the moon’s surface.

The Mark 1 lander can carry up to three tons of cargo to the lunar surface, but will be small enough to fit inside one of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rockets . New Glenn has yet to fly, but the company says its debut journey will occur later this year.

After Blue Moon Mark 1 is launched into an orbit about 125 miles above Earth’s surface, the lander’s BE-7 engine will propel it toward the moon, slowing it down to enter orbit around the moon and then guiding it to the landing on the surface.

The smaller size means that the Mark 1 lander, unlike Starship, will not need to be refueled before leaving Earth orbit. Demonstrating that refueling technology in orbit will be a key test to validate Starship’s design. Refueling will also be needed for the Blue Moon Mark 2 lander.

Mr. Musk and Mr. Bezos have already been beaten to the moon by another billionaire, Kam Ghaffarian , one of the founders of Intuitive Machines, which put a small robotic lander named Odysseus near the lunar south pole in February . That was the first private spacecraft to successfully make it to the moon’s surface in one piece (although its journey had some hiccups ).

As with every American rocket mishap, the Federal Aviation Administration will open an investigation to review what went wrong and what SpaceX needs to do to correct it. But if, as Elon Musk says, there are at least six more Starship flights this year, SpaceX will have opportunities to complete a full test flight.

Starship's third flight went very far, but like its first two flights, it was not a complete success. The landing burn for the Super Heavy booster stage of the rocket — the aim was to “land” it in the Gulf of Mexico — was not fully successful, and the Starship craft did not survive re-entry. But it was marked significant progress, because none of the problems from the earlier flights recurred, and SpaceX engineers now have data to tackle the new problems.

Michael Roston

On the social media site X, Bill Nelson, the administrator of NASA, congratulated SpaceX on what he called a “successful test flight” of Starship. The agency is counting on Starship to land astronauts on the moon’s surface as part of the Artemis III mission. Another vehicle, the Orion capsule, is to be used to bring those astronauts back to Earth.

SpaceX says Starship did not survive re-entry, but it achieved several key milestones during the flight. That marks significant progress since the second test flight. Elon Musk has said he hopes there will be a half-dozen Starship flights this year.

SpaceX says a dual loss of communication, both through its own Starlink satellites and other forms spacecraft communications with Earth, suggest that Starship did not survive re-entry. They’re still listening to see if radio contact resumes.

Video is gone. Telemetry is also stuck at a speed 25,707 kilometers per hour and an altitude of 65 kilometers. The reason is not clear.

Starship already has private customers booked for deep space trips.

Starship has not yet done a full orbit of the Earth, but SpaceX already has three private astronaut missions on its manifest for the spacecraft.

The first flight with astronauts aboard will be led by Jared Isaacman who previously bought an orbital trip on a Falcon 9 rocket that was known as Inspiration4 .

Then two other Starship flights will travel around the moon and back, one led by Yusaku Maezawa , a Japanese entrepreneur, and the other by Dennis Tito, who was the first private individual to buy a trip to the International Space Station in 2001.

Back in 2018 when Mr. Maezawa signed up for the lunar flyby, Mr. Musk said Starship would be ready by 2023.

Mr. Maezawa later called the mission ‘dearMoon,’ inviting people to apply for a seat on the trip. Last week, he acknowledged it was not going to happen this year.

“We were planning for our lunar orbital mission ‘dearMoon’ to take place in 2023, but seems like it will take a little longer,” he wrote on the social network X. “We’re not sure when the flight will be, but we will give you all an update once we know more.”

SpaceX is apparently also planning uncrewed cargo flights to the surface of the moon with Starship.

In March last year, a small start-up company, Astrolab, announced that it was sending a Jeep Wrangler-size rover to surface in the south polar region of the moon , and the ride would be a cargo Starship flight that would take it there.

SpaceX did not confirm the news.

This appears to be part of the expanding potential market for Starship. SpaceX also plans to use the rocket for launching its second generation of Starlink internet communications satellites .

Starship is re-entering Earth's atmosphere. We’re seeing the heating on the flaps, with video being transmitted to the ground through SpaceX's Starlink satellites. The view is incredible. Usually the plasma disrupts radio transmissions.

SpaceX skipped the restart of one of the Raptor engines on the upper stage of Starship. It did conduct the propellant transfer test and the opening and closing of the payload door, which means the flight achieved some of its experimental objectives during its coast around the Earth, but not others. Next stop: Re-entry through the atmosphere and a hard bellyflop in the Indian Ocean.

The music on the livestream is more old-fashioned than the ambient beats we’re used to during SpaceX video feeds. But there’s nothing old-fashioned about the views in space from the rocket, which are unreal, but have not always been visible as its connection to the ground comes and goes.

During this period of the flight, Starship is scheduled to perform several tests. The first, opening the payload door, is complete. It will also move several tons of liquid oxygen between two tanks within Starship. That’s a preliminary test for future in-orbit refueling between two Starships, which is critical for sending the vehicle to the moon. Finally, Starship will try to restart one of its Raptor engines in the vacuum of space, something it has not done before.

The payload door of the upper Starship rocket stage is now open. That’s how a future Starship will deploy Starlink satellites, and demonstrating that it works was one of the objectives of today's flight.

The engines on the upper-stage of the rocket successfully completed their burn. Starship is now coasting in space, on a trajectory that will re-enter the atmosphere over the Indian Ocean.

We were watching the booster attempting to land in the Gulf of Mexico. But the camera feed cut off, and we're not sure what actually happened. The upper stage Starship is still continuing on its trajectory toward the Indian Ocean.

The Super Heavy booster stage of the rocket appears to be headed back to Earth. During the last attempt, the booster exploded at this point, so it looks like SpaceX has fixed that issue.

The large Super Heavy booster stage has separated from the Starship upper stage, which is on its way to space. The flight is looking good.

All 33 Raptor engines in the booster are working fine. So far everything looks good.

Less than 2 minutes until liftoff. Propellant tanks are full, and wind will not prevent an on-time liftoff.

Starship is less than 10 minutes away from its third launch. The countdown is going smoothly.

What will happen during Starship’s third test flight.

For its third test flight, Starship aims to fly part of the way around the Earth, starting from SpaceX’s launch site in Boca Chica Village, Texas, and splashing down in the Indian Ocean.

The earlier test flights — both of which ended in explosions — aimed to come down in waters off Hawaii. SpaceX said it had set the new flight path to allow for safe testing of things it hadn’t done before with the Starship vehicle.

The journey will start at the site that SpaceX calls Starbase, which is a few miles north of where Texas and Mexico meet along the Gulf of Mexico. The rocket, nearly 400 feet tall, will be mounted next to a launch tower that is about 480 feet tall. It will be filled with methane and liquid oxygen propellants during the hours before liftoff.

Three seconds before launch, computers will begin to ignite the 33 engines in the Super Heavy rocket booster beneath Starship.

Starship and Super Heavy will begin their ascent over the Gulf. At 52 seconds into the flight, SpaceX says, the vehicle will experience the heaviest atmospheric stress of its trip, a moment flight engineers call max-q.

If the stainless steel spacecraft survives that stress, the next key moment will occur 2 minutes and 42 seconds into flight, when most of the Super Heavy booster’s engines power down. Seconds later, the upper Starship vehicle will begin “hot-staging,” or lighting up its engines before separating from Super Heavy.

Super Heavy’s journey will end about seven minutes after launch. SpaceX would typically aim to return the massive rocket booster to the launch site for a vertical landing. But for the test flight, the spent Super Heavy will perform a series of maneuvers before firing its engines one last time to slow its descent into the Gulf of Mexico.

As Super Heavy is descending, Starship will be gaining altitude. About eight and a half minutes into its flight, its engines will switch off. It will then begin coasting around the Earth.

While floating through space, Starship will attempt several things that the spacecraft has never done. Nearly 12 minutes into the flight, it will open a door that in the future could deploy satellites and other cargo into space. About 12 minutes later, it will transfer propellants from one tank to another while in space, a technique needed for future journeys to the moon and beyond. Then, 40 minutes into the flight, Starship will relight one if its engines while in space.

If the spacecraft makes it through those experiments, the conclusion of Starship’s journey will start at about the 49-minute mark. The spacecraft is set to pivot horizontally into a belly-flop to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere. If it survives the extreme temperatures, Starship will splash down 64 minutes after it left Texas. The company has said in the past that it expects the belly-flop ocean landing to end in an explosion .

After SpaceX completes its testing campaign, future Starship flights will return to the Texas Starbase site after they complete their missions in orbit. SpaceX is also building a launch tower for Starship at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where flights could one day launch and land, including the Artemis III mission that NASA plans to use to return American astronauts to the moon’s surface.

SpaceX has started the company’s official live video stream from Texas, a sign that it is serious about igniting the rocket in about 20 minutes. You can watch it in the video player embedded above.

What went right and wrong during the 2nd Starship test flight.

The second test flight of Starship in November got a lot higher and faster than the first attempt seven months earlier.

During the first launch outside Brownsville, Texas, in April last year, things went wrong from the start — the exhaust of the engines of the Super Heavy booster excavated a hole beneath the launchpad, sending pieces of concrete flying up to three-quarters of a mile away and a plume of dust drifting 6.5 miles, blanketing the nearby town of Port Isabel. Several of the booster engines failed, and the upper stage never separated from the booster.

Instead, the rocket started making loop-de-loops before the flight termination system destroyed it.

During the second test flight , all 33 of the booster engines worked during ascent. A water deluge system protected the launchpad. The upper Starship stage separated from the booster and then made it most of the way to orbital velocity. However, the journeys of both the booster and the upper Starship stage still ended in explosions.

For the booster, as it dropped away from the upper stage, 13 of the 33 engines fired again to guide it toward the landing location. Although this particular booster was not going to be recovered, SpaceX wanted to test the re-entry techniques that are similar to what it currently uses for its smaller Falcon 9 rockets. However, something went wrong. Several engines shut down and then one blew up, causing the destruction of the booster.

In an update posted on the company’s website on Feb. 26 , SpaceX said the most likely cause of the booster failure was a blockage of a filter where liquid oxygen flowed to the engines. The company said it had made design changes to prevent that from happening again.

The upper stage continued upward for seven minutes after stage separation. This was itself an achievement because the company completed a step called hot-staging, during which the upper-stage engines ignite before the stage detaches from the Super Heavy booster.

Because the spacecraft was empty, extra liquid oxygen was loaded to simulate the weight of a future payload it could carry to orbit. But when the extra oxygen was dumped, a fire started, disrupting communication between the spacecraft’s flight computers. The computers shut down the engines and then set off the flight termination system, destroying the spacecraft.

The upper Starship stage reached an altitude of about 90 miles and a speed of about 15,000 miles per hour. For a spacecraft to reach orbit, it needs to accelerate to about 17,000 miles per hour.

Frost lines have appeared on Starship and the Super Heavy booster as methane and liquid oxygen flow into the rocket’s tanks.

It’s sunrise in Cameron County, Texas, but weather reports show cloudy conditions persist. We’ll see if weather is going to keep Starship on the beach, but SpaceX says it has started loading propellants into the rocket.

Launch time is now 9:25 a.m. Eastern. SpaceX says winds are still a concern that could cause a liftoff to be called off, but it will go ahead with loading of propellants in the rocket.

SpaceX pushed the launch time back a little more, to 9:10 a.m. Eastern. They have until 9:50 to try today.

SpaceX has just announced the new target launch time is 9:02 a.m. Eastern, and the company said on X that it is clearing some boats from a safety zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Cameras from a number of space enthusiast websites like NASASpaceflight that are pointing at the rocket show there is still no frost on its side, so the loading of ultracold methane and liquid oxygen propellants has not yet begun.

As SpaceX prepares for its third flight of Starship, other space efforts have experienced difficulties this week. On Wednesday, Kairos, a rocket from a Japanese startup called Space One, exploded moments into its first launch attempt. And Xinhua, a Chinese state news agency, said on Thursday that two Chinese satellites were lost after a rocket failed to reach the planned orbit.

In a posting on the social media site X, SpaceX says that it is aiming for launch at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time, or 30 minutes into the 110-minute launch window. There is a 70 percent chance of favorable weather. There have been concerns of high winds, especially at higher altitudes.

What is Starship?

For Elon Musk, Starship is really a Mars ship. He envisions a fleet of Starships carrying settlers to the red planet in the coming years.

And for that eventual purpose, Starship, under development by Mr. Musk’s SpaceX rocket company , has to be big. Stacked on top of what SpaceX calls a Super Heavy booster, the Starship rocket system will be, by pretty much every measure, the biggest and most powerful ever.

It is the tallest rocket ever built — 397 feet tall, or about 90 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty including the pedestal.

And it has the most engines ever in a rocket booster: The Super Heavy has 33 of SpaceX’s powerful Raptor engines sticking out of its bottom. As those engines lift Starship off the launchpad in South Texas, they will generate 16 million pounds of thrust at full throttle.

NASA’s new Space Launch System rocket , which made its first flight in November 2022, holds the current record for the maximum thrust of a rocket: 8.8 million pounds. The maximum thrust of the Saturn V rocket that took NASA astronauts to the moon during the Apollo program was relatively paltry: 7.6 million pounds.

An even more transformative feature of Starship is that it is designed to be entirely reusable. The Super Heavy booster is to land much like those for SpaceX’s smaller Falcon 9 rockets, and Starship will be able to return from space belly-flopping through the atmosphere like a sky diver before pivoting to a vertical position for landing.

That means all of the really expensive pieces — like the 33 Raptor engines in the Super Heavy booster and six additional Raptors in Starship itself — will be used over and over instead of thrown away into the ocean after one flight.

That has the potential to cut the cost of sending payloads into orbit — to less than $10 million to take 100 tons to space, Mr. Musk has predicted.

Starship and Super Heavy are shiny because SpaceX made them out of stainless steel, which is cheaper than using other materials like carbon composites. But one side of Starship is coated in black tiles to protect the spacecraft from the extreme heat that it will encounter if it gets far enough in its flight to re-enter the atmosphere.

Here is what to know about Thursday’s SpaceX test flight.

The third try was closer to the charm for Elon Musk and SpaceX, as the company’s flight test of the mammoth Starship rocket launched on Thursday and traveled almost halfway around the Earth before it was lost as it re-entered the atmosphere.

The flight achieved some key milestones in the development of the vehicle, which could alter the future of space transportation and help NASA return astronauts to the moon.

This particular flight did not, by design, make it all the way around the Earth. At 9:25 a.m. Eastern time, Starship, the biggest and most powerful rocket ever to fly, lifted off from the coast of South Texas. About 45 minutes later it started its re-entry, but communications were lost a few minutes after that. The company said the rocket was lost before attempting to splash down in the Indian Ocean, a sign that more work needs to be completed on the vehicle.

That reusability gives SpaceX the potential to drive down the cost of lofting satellites and space telescopes, as well as people and the things they need to live in space.

Here’s what else to know:

Thursday’s flight demonstrated new capabilities for Starship. In addition to reaching orbital speeds, the Starship vehicle opened and closed its payload door and managed to move several tons of liquid oxygen between two tanks within the rocket, a key test needed for future missions.

The Starship system consists of two stages — the Super Heavy rocket booster and the upper-stage spacecraft, which is also called Starship. The company intends both to be fully reusable in the future. Read more about Starship .

Thursday’s launch was the third of Starship. Here’s a recap of what happened last time .

Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu approves plans for Rafah military operation

What we know.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved plans for a ground offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah , his office said in a statement today. The Israeli military is "preparing for the operational side and for the evacuation of the population," it said. More than 1 million people are sheltering in the city, many of them displaced after escaping Israeli military offensives in other parts of the enclave.
• The statement also discussed the latest cease-fire proposal put forward by Hamas , which it described as "unrealistic." An Israeli delegation will travel to Qatar to discuss their position. Hamas presented the proposal to mediators and the U.S., according to Reuters, which reported that it includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, including 100 who are serving life sentences.
• A private aid ship that has been chugging slowly across the Mediterranean Sea arrived in Gaza today. The Open Arms vessel is towing a barge containing flour, rice and protein to the enclave, where five months of war have left around a quarter of its 2.3 million residents “one step away” from famine, according to the United Nations.
• A suspected attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels struck a ship in the Red Sea, causing damage to the vessel, according to the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. It said the ship reported being "struck by a missile" off the port city of Hodeida. The Iran-backed rebel group did not immediately acknowledge the attack, although it typically takes hours to acknowledge its assaults.
• The Biden administration imposed sanctions on two Israeli outposts and three settlers it accused of undermining stability in the occupied West Bank yesterday, as it appealed to Israel to do more to prevent settler violence. Itamar Ben-Gvir , Israel's ultranationalist national security minister, said it was "proof that the U.S. administration does not understand who is an enemy and who it loves."
• The death toll in Gaza since Oct. 7 has surpassed 31,000 , according to the enclave's Health Ministry, which says more than 73,000 have been injured. The Israeli military said at least 247 soldiers have been killed since the ground invasion of Gaza began.

Israel weighing the use of private security contractors to protect aid shipments to Gaza, officials say

Israel is exploring using international private security contractors to protect humanitarian aid deliveries in  Gaza , according to one former and two current U.S. officials. 

Israeli  officials have broached the idea in recent weeks with senior officials from the Biden administration, which is shipping the components of a floating dock to Gaza so it can deliver aid by sea. Some U.S. officials are reluctant, however, to have American troops or security contractors on the ground in Gaza, the officials said, and are especially wary of having Americans provide armed security. 

The officials said the Israeli government has approached several security companies already, but declined to specify which ones. The Israelis also brought up having other countries pay the hefty costs of the contractors, the officials said. 

Read the full story here.

Palestinian President Abbas appoints new prime minister of Palestinian Authority

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas named Mohammad Mustafa, an ally and leading business figure as prime minister with a mandate to help reform the Palestinian Authority (PA), the state-run WAFA news agency said Thursday.

Mustafa’s appointment  comes after mounting pressure to overhaul and revitalize the governing body of the occupied Palestinian territories and improve its governance in the occupied West Bank where it is based.

As president, Abbas remains by far the most powerful figure in the Palestinian Authority, but the appointment of a new government was a demonstration of his willingness to meet international demands for change in the administration.

Mustafa, who helped organize the reconstruction of Gaza following a previous conflict, was assigned to lead the relief and rebuilding of the area, which has been shattered by more than five months of war, and reform Palestinian Authority institutions, WAFA added.

Mustafa replaces former Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh who, along with his government, resigned in February.

23 million tons of debris created by destruction in Gaza, UNRWA says

Mirna Alsharif

The destruction in Gaza has created 23 million tons of debris, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

It will take years to clear the rubble, which includes homes, schools and other infrastructure that has been damaged or destroyed, the organization said.

Tens of thousands gather for evening prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

Chantal Da Silva

JERUSALEM — Tens of thousands of worshippers gathered at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound Friday night for evening and Taraweeh prayers.

At least 90,000 people made their way to the compound, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.

Later in the evening, hundreds of people filled the plaza steps outside the Damascus Gate — something Palestinians have not been able to do throughout much of the war.

Despite the heaviness that has hung in the air this Ramadan, there was also a sense of jubilance here in East Jerusalem, as children ran through the streets and friends and families gathered to enjoy sweets and snacks just outside the Old City.

Gaza hospital overwhelmed after another attack on aid truck crowds

An NBC News camera crew was at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City as staff struggled to deal with the number of casualties from a deadly shooting attack on crowds waiting for an overnight aid delivery. Hamas and the Israeli military are blaming each other for the incident.

U.S. CENTCOM conducts 11th humanitarian airdrop into Gaza

Mosheh Gains

U.S. Central Command conducted its eleventh humanitarian airdrop into Gaza on Friday.

Over 35,000 meals and 31,800 bottles of water were dropped into northern Gaza in a U.S. Air Force and Army joint operation. The aid was delivered by a C-17 and C-130s, according to U.S. CENTCOM.

National security adviser stands by Biden’s praise for Schumer’s unprecedented criticism of Netanyahu

Andrea Mitchell

President Biden’s praise for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s controversial speech about the Israeli prime minister was deliberate, as his National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, told NBC News' Andrea Mitchell that he stands by them. Kirby also said the U.S. has not seen Israel’s plans for an invasion of Rafah.

Hamas presents cease-fire proposal detailing exchange of hostages, prisoners

Hamas has presented a Gaza cease-fire proposal to mediators and the U.S. that includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences, according to a proposal seen by Reuters.

Hamas said the initial release of Israelis would include women, children, elderly and ill hostages in return for the release of 700-1,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, according to the proposal. The release of Israeli “female recruits” is included.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Thursday a new Gaza truce proposal presented by Hamas to mediators was still based on “unrealistic demands."

His office said an update on the issue would be handed to the war cabinet and extended security cabinet on Friday.

Egypt and Qatar have been trying to narrow differences between Israel and Hamas over what a ceasefire should look like as a  deepening humanitarian crisis  has one quarter of the population in the battered Gaza Strip facing famine.

Acute malnutrition doubled in one month in northern Gaza, UNICEF says

Acute malnutrition has doubled in one month in northern Gaza, according to UNICEF.

Around 31% of children under 2 years old are now suffering from acute malnourishment in the north of the enclave, as opposed to 15.6% in January, the organization said. At least 23 children in the north have died of malnutrition as the impacts of war and restrictions on aid continue in Gaza.

UNICEF conducted nutrition screenings in February that determined 4.5% of children in shelters and health centers are suffering from "severe wasting, the most life-threatening form of malnutrition," which can lead to death unless they receive treatment, which isn't readily available.

Nutrition screenings in Khan Younis in central Gaza determined that 28% of children under 2 years old are acutely malnourished, more than 10% of them having severe wasting, according to UNICEF. In Rafah, the amount of children under 2 suffering from acute malnutrition doubled from 5% in January to 10% at the end of February.

“The speed at which this catastrophic child malnutrition crisis in Gaza has unfolded is shocking, especially when desperately needed assistance has been at the ready just a few miles away,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF's executive director. “We have repeatedly attempted to deliver additional aid and we have repeatedly called for the access challenges we have faced for months to be addressed. Instead, the situation for children is getting worse by each passing day. Our efforts in providing life-saving aid are being hampered by unnecessary restrictions, and those are costing children their lives.”

U.N. organizations have warned of imminent famine in Gaza for months. In January, emergency thresholds for children with acute malnutrition were exceeded, per UNICEF. The organization has treated some children who have the condition and say more supplies to aid in their treatment will arrive this week, but it's still not enough.

“We are doing everything we can to avert a worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but it is not enough,” Russell said. “An immediate humanitarian ceasefire continues to provide the only chance to save children’s lives and end their suffering. We also need multiple land border crossings that allow aid to be reliably delivered at scale, including to northern Gaza, along with the security assurances and unimpeded passage needed to distribute that aid, without delays or access impediments.”

VIDEO: José Andrés charity begins delivering aid to Gaza

World Central Kitchen has begun delivering 37 million meals to Gaza from the ship Open Arms, according to chef José Andrés, who founded the charity.

The aid is being delivered as work continues on a jetty along the coast.

So far, two crates of aid have been delivered to northern Gaza, according to Andrés.

The Israel Defense Forces said that Open Arms contains 115 tons of food and water, which have been transferred to 12 World Central Kitchen trucks and will be distributed around northern Gaza. The aid "underwent comprehensive security inspection," according to the IDF.

Almost 150 killed in past 24 hours, Gaza Health Ministry says

Henry Austin

Almost 150 people have been killed in Gaza in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 31,490 since Oct. 7, the enclave's Health Ministry said in a Telegram post today.

The ministry said more than 73,000 people had been injured.

NBC News cannot independently verify those numbers. The United Nations and other aid agencies have estimated that many more are dead and remain buried under the rubble of the enclave's destroyed buildings.

White House has not seen Netanyahu's military plan for Rafah, Blinken and NSC spokesperson say

The White House has not seen the plan for a military action in Rafah announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office today, Biden administration officials said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at a news conference in Vienna with the foreign minister of Austria, said today, "The answer is no, we have not seen it."

A National Security Council spokesperson told NBC News the council also has not seen the plan, and reiterated White House conditions that any military action in the city focuses on civilian safety.

"We have been clear about the need to prioritize civilian protection," the spokesperson said. "We have not seen a plan from Israel related to Rafah."

1 staffer killed, 22 injured after Israel hits food distribution center in Rafah, UNRWA says

At least one staff member was killed and 22 were injured after Israel hit a food distribution center in Rafah belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the aid organization said.

The distribution center in eastern Rafah was hit despite its coordinates having been shared with Israel’s military, according to Director-General Philippe Lazzarini, who is calling for an independent investigation into the attack.

“Today’s attack on one of the very few remaining UNRWA distribution centres in the Gaza Strip comes as food supplies are running out, hunger is widespread and, in some areas, turning into famine," Lazzarini said in a statement . "Every day, we share the coordinates of all our facilities across the Gaza Strip with parties to the conflict. The Israeli Army received the coordinates including of this facility yesterday."

Video of the distribution center shows blood on the floors and on aid items, which include diapers for babies.

"Look, what is this?" a UNRWA employee told NBC News as he pointed to the damage and blood. "We take this all to the elderly and children. What is this?"

"This is wrong."

The IDF did not immediately respond to an NBC News request for comment on the incident.

Aid ship is welcome, but maritime route ultimately a 'distraction,' International Rescue Committee says

JERUSALEM — The International Rescue Committee has welcomed the arrival of a ship hauling some 200 tons of much-needed aid off Gaza's coast, but it said the establishment of a maritime aid route is ultimately a "distraction."

"Any aid that can be provided is helpful and good given the overwhelming levels of need on the ground," Ciaran Donelly, IRC vice president of crisis response, said in a phone interview with NBC News today. "At the same time, the reality is that, you know, the most direct distance between two points is a straight line and there are cheaper and more effective and easier ways to get aid to Gaza than relying on planes and boats from airdrops and maritime routes."

Donelly noted that there are "roads and access routes that can bring in significantly more volumes of aid significantly cheaper and lend themselves to significantly more efficient and safer and more dignified distributions than relying on the maritime route."

"While I welcome any small amounts of aid that are able to be delivered via maritime routes and via airdrops," he said, "these shouldn't be a distraction and ... the U.S. and the U.K. and other governments that have leverage over Israel should be using every possible ounce of diplomatic and political leverage to bring about conditions under which aid can be scaled up at a much more significant material and cost-effective and dignified way."

‘Zone of Interest’ producer refutes Jonathan Glazer’s Oscars speech: ‘Fundamentally disagree’

“The Zone of Interest” executive producer Danny Cohen has become the first member of the film’s production team to publicly address  director Jonathan Glazer’s Oscars speech , saying “I just fundamentally disagree with Jonathan.”

While accepting  the Academy Award on Sunday  evening for best international film, Glazer delivered a set of pre-written remarks in which he compared his Holocaust film to the current conflict in Gaza. He was accompanied on stage by producer James Wilson and executive producer Len Blavatnik.

Speaking on the Unholy podcast, Cohen, president of Access Entertainment and former director of BBC television, said: “It’s really important to recognize it’s upset a lot of people and a lot of people feel upset and angry about it. And I understand that anger frankly.”

Hamas cease-fire plans 'unrealistic,' Netanyahu's office says

Hamas' latest proposals for a cease-fire deal "are still unrealistic," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement today.

But it said an Israeli delegation would leave for Qatar after the country's security Cabinet had discussed the country's position.

Netanyahu's office says he has approved plans for military operation in Rafah

Netanyahu has approved plans for a military operation in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, his office said in a statement today.

The Israel Defense Forces are "preparing for the operational side and for the evacuation of the population," the statement said.

More than 1 million people are estimated to be sheltering in the city, most of them displaced after escaping IDF hostilities in other parts of the enclave.

American recovering after missile strike on her Gaza apartment

American Deborah (Huda) Droll has been living in the Gaza Strip for more than a decade. Her home was destroyed in an airstrike.

As she spoke with an NBC News crew from her hospital bed, she wondered why Israel had targeted a building that housed an American.

Worshippers make their way through Jerusalem's Old City

JERUSALEM — Noon prayers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque have now ended on this first Friday of Ramadan.

Worshippers are streaming out of the mosque through the winding streets of the Old City.

Palestinian males ages 10 to 55 were barred by Israel’s government from traveling to the site, which is sacred to both Muslims and Jews. Al-Aqsa is the third-holiest site in Islam and the spot, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is also the holiest site in Judaism.

There is a heavy Israeli security presence in the Old City but, so far at least, few signs of serious incidents.

Australia resumes UNRWA funding

Andee Capellan

Australia will lift its suspension on funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the country's foreign minister said in a statement today.

“Only UNRWA has the infrastructure to receive and distribute aid on the scale needed right now in Gaza,” Penny Wong said. The 6 million Australian dollars ($3.9 million) of pause funding will be disbursed immediately, she added.

The decision comes two months after Australia and several other nations including the U.S. paused funding for the agency after Israel alleged that that some of its employees took part in Hamas Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.

Australia has worked with a group of donors and UNRWA to ensure the integrity of its operations and has added new safeguards to guarantee the protection of the money, Wong said.

Charity says it's 'loading another boat' with food for Gaza

The World Central Kitchen charity, which arranged for the first nautical delivery of aid to Gaza, is "loading another boat with hundreds of tons of food," for the enclave, it said today on X.

In a separate statement shared with NBC News, the charity said the vessel was being loaded with 300 tons of canned goods and bulk product, including beans, carrots, canned tuna, canned corn, chickpeas, parboiled rice, flour, oil and salt.

It said a crane was also loaded to assist with future maritime deliveries to Gaza.

First Friday prayer of Ramadan

JERUSALEM — Thousands of worshippers arrived at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the first Friday prayer of Ramadan today.

Worshippers could be seen entering through the gates of Jerusalem’s Old City into the compound as Israeli authorities watched.

The Israeli police said officers were deployed “throughout Jerusalem” for the first Friday of Ramadan to “continue maintaining public order and security for everyone.”

Wounded children treated in hospital after deadly Israeli strike in Rafah

Amid the concrete rubble and bent steel reinforcements of buildings in Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, an NBC News crew filmed the desperate hunt for survivors after an Israeli strike.

Later, the crew followed bloodied children who were injured in what officials in the enclave said was a strike on a family home.

Egypt is striving to secure a cease-fire in Gaza, president says

Egypt is seeking to reach a deal for a cease-fire in Gaza, increase entry of aid and to allow displaced people in the south of the enclave to move to the north, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said today.

El-Sissi also warned against the danger of an Israeli incursion into Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, where an estimated 1.5 million people have sought shelter next to the enclave's border with Egypt.

“We are talking about reaching a cease-fire in Gaza, meaning a truce, providing the biggest quantity of aid,” he said in a message recorded during a visit to the police academy.

This would include “curbing the impact of this famine on people, and also allowing for the people in the center and the south to move towards the north, with a very strong warning against incursion into Rafah,” he said.

Aid ship arrives off the coast of Gaza, organizers say

JERUSALEM — The Open Arms, a private aid ship, arrived off the coast of Gaza today carrying the first nautical aid delivery for starving Palestinians.

World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, that played a central role in organizing the delivery, said efforts were underway to move toward a jetty that has been specially constructed to bring the food to land.

The Open Arms, named after the Spanish charity transporting the supplies, departed the Larnaca port in Cyprus on Tuesday, towing a barge containing flour, rice and protein.

The United Nations has warned that at least a quarter of Gaza’s population is “one step away” from famine and the enclave's health ministry has reported more than two dozen deaths caused by malnutrition and dehydration.

Airstrikes leave a scarred landscape in Khan Younis

Max Butterworth

Buildings leveled by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza's southern city of Khan Younis, yesterday.

Catch up with our latest coverage of the war

• Salma’s diary of the war in Gaza: How her journal saved her life
• As South Africa vows to arrest dual citizens who serve in the Israeli military, will other countries follow?
• Biden administration sanctions two West Bank outposts and three Israeli settlers
• How did 118 people die in Gaza’s Al-Rashid aid convoy violence? 
• Inside Israel’s allegations against U.N. workers in Gaza

Activist appointed to crime commission weeks after acquittal in Alabama town

A political activist is back at city hall with a new leadership position weeks after being cleared of harassment charges stemming from her criticism of the mayor’s leadership.

Novillee Williams received applause from the Tarrant City Council after her appointment to a seat on the city’s crime commission.

Her appointment to the citizen-led panel represents a significant turn for the 79-year-old Williams, who in December was charged with harassment and disorderly conduct by a city employee.

Municipal Judge Lee Barnes in February acquitted Williams of accusations that she harassed a city employee during a fiery city council exchange in which she assailed the town’s mayor as a corrupt leader.

“Ms. Williams, who will be 80 years old in September, and recently appointed to the new City of Tarrant Crime Commission, did nothing wrong other than to exercise her absolute right to express her opinion at a Tarrant City Council meeting,” her attorney Jim Ward, told AL.com . “Her reward for speaking her mind were unlawful arrests.”

William’s legal team also includes defense attorney Tommy Spina, who successfully represented her against the criminal charges.

Williams returned to city hall and was sworn in as a member of the crime commission March 4.

The commission was created about a year ago at the recommendation of police chief Wendell Major. There are currently eight members of the commission.

“He wanted to be completely transparent with the police force, said Chuck Winborn, a member of the commission and a vocal critic of Mayor Wayman Newton

Winborn said crime commission members receive review citizen complaints and observes police disciplinary hearings.

“Some of the police officers that engage us on social media seem to think we have some sort of control,” he said. “We have no control. We have power of suggestion.”

Councilwoman Deborah Matthews recommended Williams to the commission. Winborn called Williams a natural fit to the group.

“She’s a citizen like anybody else and she cares about this city,” Winborn said. “She’s been a real vocal supporter of the police chief and she had voiced some interest in becoming a member of the crime commission.”

Winborn said he was initially a supporter of the mayor, who recommended by him to serve on the commission. Their relationship has soured with both men accusing the other of a series of misdeeds and political tricks.

On the other side, Newton discounted Williams’ appointment and dismissed the validity of the commission.

“It’s just public relations for the police department,” he said. “That was not what it was initially set up to do. It was set up to give citizens insight as to how the police department operates.”

Newton and police chief Major have been at odds for months, with the mayor suspending him three times and the council reversing him each time.

The issue remains in court, even after the council overruled the last suspension. An interim chief currently oversees daily operations, but Major continues to attend council meetings.

Newton said the crime commission is a pro-Major cheerleading group that goes too far in meddling into police matters.

“They are attempting to morph it into something that it was not created to do, but we are not allowing it to happen - at least I’m not,” he said.

In response, Winborn makes no apology for supporting Major. Still, he said the commission is an independent body. He points a finger at Newton for creating divisiveness within the police department.

“We’ve got his back, but he makes it plain that if we feel he has done something wrong, then we should take him to task. Anybody on the commission would tell you that,” Winborn said regarding the police chief. “I take offense at the fact that our police force is not functioning in the fashion that it should be functioning.”

Speaking on behalf of his client, Ward said Williams will continue to exercise and defend her political rights as an activist.

“We intend to explore all available legal remedies on her behalf to ensure others will not be so badly treated for speaking about matters of public concern, even if critical of an elected official,” Ward said. “What happened to Ms. Williams can never be accepted or tolerated in a free society.”

©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit al.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Ambrey says fuel tanker in Red Sea attacked, two explosions reported

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

Reporting by Muhammad Al Gebaly, Ahmed Elimam, Clauda Tanios, Enas Alashray, Ahmed Tolba and Lisa Baertlein; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Gerry Doyle, Michael Perry, Alex Richardson and David Gregorio

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

Mexico won't accept deportations from Texas, calls law 'dehumanizing'

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador sharply criticized a Texas law that would empower state law enforcement authorities to arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, saying Mexico will not accept anyone repatriated by Texas.