Israeli forces intercept Gaza-bound aid boat Handala in international waters, detain crew - War on Gaza
The vessel was seized about 40 nautical miles off Gaza's coast. Livestream footage showed unarmed activists wearing life jackets with their arms raised as half a dozen Israeli soldiers approached.
Communications from the ship were cut at 11:43 pm local time when onboard cameras were disabled. The Handala was carrying baby formula, diapers, food and medicine.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition described the cargo as life-saving aid for Gaza's 2.4 million residents, amid widespread famine and health system collapse caused by Israel's blockade.
The passengers—journalists, parliamentarians, labour organisers, lawyers and other rights defenders from 12 countries—were detained and the cargo confiscated.
Among those on board was French MEP Emma Fourreau, who posted on X: 'The Israeli army is here,' before confirming the crew would throw their phones into the sea. In a separate post, the Handala's crew said they would begin a hunger strike if detained.
'If the Israeli military attacks our vessel and prevents us from getting to Gaza, we will go on hunger strike immediately,' said Huwaida Arraf, a US-Palestinian lawyer and activist. 'We are not interested in receiving any food or water [from Israel] … and certainly not in the ways that they use it for propaganda, while at the same time they are starving to death Palestinian children,' she added.
'This is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction,' said Ann Wright, a member of the Freedom Flotilla's steering committee. 'These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.'
The interception violated international maritime law. It marked the third time this year Israeli forces have stopped Freedom Flotilla vessels attempting to break Israel's blockade by delivering aid to Gaza by sea.
In May, Israeli drones bombed the civilian aid ship Conscience in European waters, injuring four people.
On 9 June, Israeli forces intercepted the Madleen in international waters and towed it to Ashdod. It carried 12 activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
The Handala departed from Sicily on 13 July to challenge what observers have described as a 'man-made famine' in Gaza. Israel imposed a total blockade on aid entering the territory on 2 March, as part of its war on Gaza, now entering its 22nd month.
Over 100 humanitarian organisations have warned that 'mass starvation' is spreading across the territory. Most of those who have died from hunger are children.
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