Israel seeking to deport activists detained on Gaza-bound boat: NGO
The 21 activists from 10 countries were taken into custody late Saturday when the Handala was boarded in international waters as it attempted to breach an Israeli maritime blockade of the Palestinian territory.
The Handala and its crew from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) were brought to the port of Ashdod in Israel, where, according to the legal rights centre Adalah, all but two – a pair of dual US-Israeli nationals – were being held under Israeli immigration law.
New Gaza-bound aid boat leaves Italy
'Israel is handling the custody of the volunteers as though they had entered the country illegally – even though they were forcibly taken from international waters and brought into Israel against their will,' Adalah said in a statement after its lawyers were allowed to meet the detainees.
'The authorities presented them with two options: either agree to so-called 'voluntary deportation', or remain in detention and appear before a tribunal, to have their continued detention pending deportation reviewed,' the statement continued.
According to Adalah, three detainees – an Italian, an American and a French member of parliament, Gabrielle Cathala – agreed to be deported and are expected to leave Israel in the coming hours.
The US-Israeli nationals were interrogated by Israeli police and released, while 12 international activists – including another left-wing French MP, Emma Fourreau – refused to sign voluntary deportation orders and are still in Israeli custody pending legal hearings.
The remaining four detainees, including a pair of Al Jazeera journalists, have retained private counsel.
'Peaceful' mission
Adalah reiterated that the activists were engaged in a 'peaceful civilian mission', and maintained that both their detention and the Israeli blockade of Gaza were illegal.
The Israeli foreign ministry has said the navy stopped the Handala to prevent it from entering coastal waters off Gaza, noting after its intecerption that all the vessel's 'passengers are safe'.
Just before midnight local time on Saturday, video streamed live from the Handala showed Israeli troops boarding the vessel. An online tracker showed the ship in international waters west of Gaza.
The ship had been on course to try to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza and bring a small quantity of humanitarian aid to the territory's Palestinian residents.
The Handala's crew had said before their capture in a post on X that they would go on hunger strike if the Israeli military intercepted the boat and detained its passengers.
A previous boat sent by Freedom Flotilla, the Madleen, was also intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters on June 9 and towed to Ashdod.
It carried 12 campaigners, including prominent Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The activists were eventually expelled by Israel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Hamas says it will allow aid for hostages if Israel halts airstrikes, opens permanent humanitarian corridors
CAIRO: Hamas said on Sunday it was prepared to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to hostages it holds in Gaza, if Israel meets certain conditions, after a video it released showing an emaciated captive drew sharp criticism from Western powers. Hamas said any coordination with the Red Cross is contingent upon Israel permanently opening humanitarian corridors and halting airstrikes during the distribution of aid. According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Hamas, thus far, has barred humanitarian organizations from having any kind of access to the hostages and families have little or no details of their conditions. On Saturday, Hamas released its second video in two days of Israeli hostage Evyatar David. In it, David, skeletally thin, is shown digging a hole that, he says in the video, is for his own grave. The arm of the individual holding the camera, which can be seen in the frame, is a regular width. The video of David drew criticism from Western powers and horrified Israelis. France, Germany, the UK and the U.S. were among countries to express outrage and Israel's foreign ministry announced that the UN Security Council will hold a special session on Tuesday morning on the issue of the situation of the hostages in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had asked the Red Cross to give humanitarian assistance to the hostages during a conversation with the head of the Swiss-based ICRC's local delegation. A statement from The Hostages Families Forum, which represents relatives of those being held in Gaza, said Hamas' comments about the hostages cannot hide that it 'has been holding innocent people in impossible conditions for over 660 days,' and demanded their immediate release. 'Until their release,' said the statement, 'Hamas has the obligation to provide them with everything they need. Hamas kidnapped them and they must care for them. Every hostage who dies will be on Hamas's hands.' Six more people died of starvation or malnutrition in Gaza over the past 24 hours, its health ministry said on Sunday as Israel said it allowed a delivery of fuel to the enclave, in the throes of a humanitarian disaster after almost two years of war. The new deaths raised the toll of those dying from what international humanitarian agencies say may be an unfolding famine to 175, including 93 children, since the war began, the ministry said. Egypt's state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV said two trucks carrying 107 tons of diesel were set to enter Gaza, months after Israel severely restricted aid access to the enclave before easing it somewhat as starvation began to spread. COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, said later in the day that four tankers of U.N. fuel had entered to help in operations of hospitals, bakeries, public kitchens and other essential services. There was no immediate confirmation whether the two diesel fuel trucks had entered Gaza from Egypt. US envoy tells Israeli hostage families he is working on plan to end Gaza War Gaza's health ministry has said fuel shortages have severely impaired hospital services, forcing doctors to focus on treating only critically ill or injured patients. Fuel shipments have been rare since March, when Israel restricted the flow of aid into the enclave in what it said was pressure on Hamas group to free the remaining hostages they took in their October 2023 attack on Israel. Israel blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza but, in response to a rising international uproar, it announced steps last week to let more aid reach the population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, approving air drops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys. U.N. agencies say airdrops are insufficient and that Israel must let in far more aid by land and open up access to the territory to prevent starvation among its 2.2 million people, most of whom are displaced amidst vast swathes of rubble. COGAT said that during the past week over 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid in 1,200 trucks had entered Gaza but that hundreds of the trucks had yet to be driven to aid distribution hubs by U.N. and other international organisations. Meanwhile, Belgium's air force dropped the first in a series of its aid packages into Gaza on Sunday in a joint operation with Jordan, the Belgian defence ministry said. France on Friday started to air-drop 40 tons of humanitarian aid. Looted aid trucks The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said on Sunday that nearly 1,600 aid trucks had arrived since Israel eased restrictions late in July. However, witnesses and Hamas sources said many of those trucks have been looted by desperate displaced people and armed gangs. More than 700 trucks of fuel entered the Gaza Strip in January and February during a ceasefire before Israel broke it in March in a dispute over terms for extending it and resumed its major offensive. Palestinian local health authorities said at least 80 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across the coastal enclave on Sunday. Deaths included persons trying to make their way to aid distribution points in southern and central areas of Gaza, Palestinian medics said. Among those killed was a staff member of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which said an Israeli strike at its headquarters in Khan Younis in southern Gaza ignited a fire on the first floor of the building. The Gaza war began when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in a cross-border attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli figures. Israel's air and ground war in densely populated Gaza has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to enclave health officials.
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
China and Russia start joint drills in Sea of Japan
Flags of China and Russia are displayed in this illustration picture taken March 24, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS Listen to article China and Russia began joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan on Sunday as they seek to reinforce their partnership and counterbalance what they see as a US-led global order. Alongside economic and political ties, Moscow and Beijing have strengthened their military cooperation in recent years, and their relations have deepened since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The "Joint Sea-2025" exercises kicked off in waters near the Russian port of Vladivostok and would last for three days, China's defence ministry said in a statement on Sunday. The two sides will hold "submarine rescue, joint anti-submarine, air defence and anti-missile operations, and maritime combat". Four Chinese vessels, including guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, are participating in the exercises alongside Russian ships, the ministry said. After the drills, the two countries will conduct naval patrols in "relevant waters of the Pacific". China and Russia have carried out annual drills for several years, with the "Joint Sea" exercises beginning in 2012. Last year's drills were held along China's southern coast. The Chinese defence ministry said Friday that this year's exercises were aimed at "further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership" of the two countries. China has never denounced Russia's more than three-year war nor called for it to withdraw its troops, and many of Ukraine's allies, including the United States, believe that Beijing has provided support to Moscow. China insists it is a neutral party, regularly calling for an end to the fighting while also accusing Western countries of prolonging the conflict by arming Ukraine. AFP
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, Iran set $10b trade target
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian President Dr Massud Pezeshkian and other dignitaries witness the signing ceremony of various MoUs and agreements between the two countries. Photo: Express Listen to article Pakistan and Iran agreed to increase their bilateral trade from current $3 billion to $10 billion in the talks between the visiting Iranian president and the prime minister here on Sunday, in a move suggesting the shifting geostrategic dynamics bringing the two neighbours closer. Iranian President Massud Pezeshkian travelled to Pakistan on his first official visit since assuming the office and following the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June. Pakistan rolled out red-carpet welcome to President Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally received him at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, in a rare gesture signalling not just a protocol but Pakistan's intent to deepen ties with the neighbouring country. The timing of the visit was no coincidence as it came at a time when the Israel-Iran conflict remained fresh, Gaza under siege and a host of other regional developments. Pakistan's move to host the Iranian president at a time when the US is seeking its further isolation shows its pursuit of following the independent foreign policy. The formal talks were held at the Prime Minister House with focus on multiple issues ranging from bilateral ties to the current regional and international developments. According to the PM office, the two leaders held a one-on-one meeting, which was followed by delegation-level talks. The Pakistani side included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, senior cabinet members, and top government officials. Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasised the importance of the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran, reaffirming Pakistan's full solidarity with the Iranian leadership, armed forces, and the people. Speaking at a joint news conference with President Pezeshkian, the prime minister expressed condolences over the martyrdom of Iranian soldiers, scientists, and civilians during the 12-day war triggered by Israeli aggression, and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured. He also thanked Iran for its unwavering support to Pakistan during the recent flare-up of tensions with India. Morever, the prime minister backed Iran's right to pursue nuclear programme for peaceful purposes. President Pezeshkian, in turn, thanked the Pakistani government and people for standing firmly with Iran during the war. He said the Iranian nation would always remember Pakistan's show of solidarity. Highlighting the need for strengthening economic cooperation, Prime Minister Shehbaz called for the early convening of the 22nd session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission, expected to be held soon. He stressed enhanced collaboration in trade, connectivity, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements across sectors of mutual interest aimed at reinforcing bilateral cooperation. They discussed key initiatives to boost trade, including enhancing quotas for rice, fruits, and meat exports, activating border markets, removing non-tariff barriers, and promoting barter trade. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the recent progress in Pakistan-Iran trade negotiations and reaffirmed their commitment to increase bilateral trade volume from the current $3 billion to $10 billion in the near future. Regional and global issues were also on the agenda. Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the Iranian leadership for its strong and vocal support for the Palestinian cause in the face of Israeli brutality. He reiterated Pakistan's unwavering backing for an independent Palestinian state in accordance with UN resolutions and called for an immediate end to Israeli atrocities in Gaza along with urgent humanitarian assistance for the besieged population. Both leaders urged the international community to take swift action to resolve the crisis. Prime Minister Sharif also expressed gratitude for Iran's consistent support for the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The meeting concluded with a luncheon hosted in honour of President Pezeshkian and his delegation.
