Freedom Flotilla's 'Handala' to set sail on new aid mission to starving Gaza
Named after the iconic Palestinian cartoon character by Naji al-Ali, symbolizing a barefoot refugee child who turned his back on injustice, the Handala carries a diverse group of activists, medics, lawyers, journalists, and humanitarian supplies.
Its objectives are threefold: to break the protracted blockade, deliver vital aid, and express solidarity with the besieged population of Gaza.
The ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where a complete blockade has been in place since March 2, 2025, marks the longest continuous closure in the blockade's history.
Reports from the ground indicate widespread hunger, with nearly one in three people going entire days without food, and hospitals facing imminent shutdown due to fuel shortages.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has highlighted persistent strikes on civilians seeking aid and shelter, with a staggering 86% of the Gaza Strip now within 'Israeli'-militarized zones or under displacement orders since March 18.
This voyage follows the interception of the FFC's previous vessel, the "Madleen," in June 2025, during which activists, including a Member of the European Parliament, were detained and deported by 'Israeli' forces.
The FFC maintains that such actions in international waters are illegal and vows to continue its non-violent resistance.
Participants on board the Handala represent a global grassroots movement, taking action where, as the FFC states, "institutions have failed."
The ship itself has previously sailed to ports across Europe and the UK in 2023 and 2024, serving as a platform for awareness campaigns and political education about the blockade and the plight of Gaza's children, who comprise over half of the territory's population and have borne the brunt of the recent conflict.
The international community's reactions to past flotillas have been mixed, with many countries condemning previous 'Israeli' interceptions and calling for investigations into incidents such as the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid, which resulted in the deaths of ten activists.
While the complete and final list of all participants on the Handala for this specific voyage isn't always released publicly beforehand for security reasons, the FFC draws from a pool of dedicated volunteers who undergo a vetting process.
Some individuals who have previously participated in FFC missions and may be on board or are closely associated with the current effort include:
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