Israeli naval forces seize Gaza-bound aid flotilla Handala
The Israeli Navy intercepted the Handala flotilla while approaching the Gaza Strip, the IDF and Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday night. The flotilla was en route to Israel's shores with all its passengers on board.
According to Channel 12, those aboard the flotilla reported seeing a drone circling above them as vessels approached the ship.
Legal aid group Adalah - The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel sent a letter to authorities on Sunday morning "demanding the whereabouts" of the activists on the Handala, and emphasizing their right to legal counsel.
On Saturday evening, Huwaida Araf, an activist on board, said in an update that "two vessels, probably the IDF, are very close to Handala. Attempts were made to contact the Israeli Navy - but no response was received."
As a precaution, the ship reportedly changed its course to go south, towards Egypt.
IDF soldiers took control of the Handala flotilla that was making its way to Gaza. (CREDIT: N12)
Handala approaching Gaza
Activists aboard the Handala said on Saturday that they are approaching the coast of the Gaza Strip and have already passed the point where the Madleen flotilla was stopped last month.
They later claimed an unidentified boat was approaching the ship and that the participants were "preparing for a takeover," Army Radio reported.
The ship set sail from Italy earlier this week. 'The world is watching,' the activists said. The flotilla from last month made headlines, highlighting the presence of pro-Palestinian activist Greta Thunberg.
The Israel Navy was preparing to intercept the vessel, which, as of Saturday afternoon, was approximately 200 kilometers off the coast of Gaza.
'The flotilla is a collective act of conscience,' said Huwaida Arraf, a human rights attorney, co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement, and a member of the steering committee for the 'Freedom Flotilla.'
"The boat is named after the well-known Palestinian cartoon character 'Handala,' described as 'a barefoot refugee child, seeker of justice, who vowed not to turn his back until Palestine is free.'
Sarah Ben Nun contributed to this report.
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