Freedom Flotilla ship carrying aid to Gaza intercepted by Israel
The coalition that operates the vessel Handala said the Israeli military 'violently intercepted' the ship in international waters about 40 nautical miles from Gaza, cutting the cameras and communication just before midnight on Saturday.
'All cargo was non-military, civilian and intended for direct distribution to a population facing deliberate starvation and medical collapse under Israel's illegal blockade,'' the group said in a statement.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment. Israel's Foreign Ministry posted on social media early on Sunday that the Navy stopped the vessel and was bringing it to shore.
It was the second ship operated by the coalition that Israel has prevented in recent months from delivering aid to Gaza, where food experts have for months warned of the risk of famine. Activist Greta Thunberg was among 12 activists on board the ship 'Madleen' when it was
seized by the Israeli military in June
Australian doctor Mohamed Mustafa addresses a press conference holding a prosthesis on the Freedom Flotilla ship Handala, ahead of the boat's departure for Gaza at a port in Syracuse, Sicily, southern Italy, on July 13, 2025. Photo: AFP
The ship's interception comes as Israel faces mounting international criticism over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, with concern growing over rising hunger in the territory amid Israeli restrictions on aid.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
UK leader Starmer to press Trump on Gaza, trade in Scotland talks
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will press US President Donald Trump on ending 'the unspeakable suffering' in Gaza and also talk trade when they meet on Monday at the US president's golf resort in Scotland. The talks will come a day after the US and the European Union reached a landmark deal to end a transatlantic stand-off over tariffs and avert a full-blown trade war. Starmer is expected to push Trump on urging a revival of stalled ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas as a hunger crisis deepens in the besieged Palestinian territory. The meeting at Turnberry, southwestern Scotland, comes as European countries express growing alarm at the situation in Gaza , and as Starmer faces domestic pressure to follow France's lead and recognise a Palestinian state. The leaders will also discuss implementing a recent UK–US trade deal, as well as efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine, according to a British government statement issued late on Sunday. But it is the growing threat of starvation faced by Palestinians in Gaza that is set to dominate the talks on the third full day of Trump's trip to the land where his mother was born.
South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
UK PM Keir Starmer to recall cabinet from summer break to discuss Gaza
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will convene a cabinet meeting next week, a government source said on Sunday, most likely to discuss the situation in Gaza after coming under growing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state. Advertisement The Financial Times newspaper, which initially reported the story, said ministers, currently in a summer recess until September 1, would reconvene to discuss Gaza. Starmer's office did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment. The recall comes after Starmer said on Friday the British government would recognise a Palestinian state only as part of a negotiated peace deal, disappointing many in his Labour Party who want him to follow France in taking swifter action. President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday France would recognise a Palestinian state, a plan that drew strong condemnation from Israel and the United States, after similar moves from Spain, Norway and Ireland last year. Advertisement More than 220 members of parliament in the UK, mostly Labour members representing about a third of the House of Commons, wrote to Starmer on Friday urging him to recognise a Palestinian state.
South China Morning Post
21 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Freedom Flotilla ship carrying aid to Gaza intercepted by Israel
The Israeli military has intercepted a Gaza-bound aid ship seeking to break the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory, detaining 21 international activists and journalists and seizing all cargo, including baby milk formula, food and medicine, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said on Sunday. The coalition that operates the vessel Handala said the Israeli military 'violently intercepted' the ship in international waters about 40 nautical miles from Gaza, cutting the cameras and communication just before midnight on Saturday. 'All cargo was non-military, civilian and intended for direct distribution to a population facing deliberate starvation and medical collapse under Israel's illegal blockade,'' the group said in a statement. The Israeli military had no immediate comment. Israel's Foreign Ministry posted on social media early on Sunday that the Navy stopped the vessel and was bringing it to shore. It was the second ship operated by the coalition that Israel has prevented in recent months from delivering aid to Gaza, where food experts have for months warned of the risk of famine. Activist Greta Thunberg was among 12 activists on board the ship 'Madleen' when it was seized by the Israeli military in June Australian doctor Mohamed Mustafa addresses a press conference holding a prosthesis on the Freedom Flotilla ship Handala, ahead of the boat's departure for Gaza at a port in Syracuse, Sicily, southern Italy, on July 13, 2025. Photo: AFP The ship's interception comes as Israel faces mounting international criticism over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, with concern growing over rising hunger in the territory amid Israeli restrictions on aid.
