&w=3840&q=100)
Freedom Flotilla's Handala approaches Gaza, faces Israeli navy threat
The Freedom Flotilla ship "Handala" as it leaves for Gaza at a port in Syracuse, Sicily, southern Italy. AFP
The activist group Freedom Flotilla announced Saturday that its latest aid boat dispatched to Gaza was approaching the territory and planned to land there the following morning in defiance of an Israeli blockade.
The vessel, named the Handala after a popular Palestinian cartoon character, was just 105 nautical miles (194 kilometres) from its destination, organisers said – closer to Gaza than its predecessor the Madleen was when it was intercepted in June.
The Israeli navy said it would likewise block the new vessel from reaching the war-torn Palestinian territory.
'The [Israeli army] enforces the legal maritime security blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a wide range of scenarios, which it will act upon in accordance with directives of the political echelon,' an army spokesperson told AFP on Saturday.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Carrying 19 activists and two journalists from various countries, the Handala first set sail from Sicily on July 13 in a bid to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza and deliver aid to its population.
The territory is facing severe shortages of food and other essentials, with the United Nations and NGOs warning of an imminent famine.
The Handala's crew said in a post on X that they would go on a hunger strike if the Israeli army intercepted the boat and detained its passengers.
The last boat sent by Freedom Flotilla, the Madleen, was intercepted by the Israeli army in international waters on June 9 and towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
It carried 12 campaigners on board, including prominent Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
30 minutes ago
- News18
Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes: Malaysia To Host Peace Talks, Death Toll Reaches 34
Last Updated: Border clashes between the two countries entered their fourth day, leaving at least 34 people dead and displacing over 2,00,000 The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia are set to meet in Malaysia on Monday, as border clashes between the two countries entered their fourth day, leaving at least 34 people dead and displacing over 2,00,000. Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will attend talks in Kuala Lumpur, mediated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Malaysia currently chairs the ASEAN regional bloc, of which both nations are members. Anwar confirmed that both sides had requested his help in negotiating a peace deal. 'I'm discussing the parameters, the conditions, but what is important is (an) immediate ceasefire," he told the state-run Bernama news agency on Sunday. Trump's Intervention Sparks Breakthrough Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Sunday said that his country had accepted an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire," adding that Trump had confirmed Thailand's agreement to halt attacks. 'This is positive news for the soldiers and people of both countries," he said. Hun Manet directed his foreign minister, Prak Sokhonn, to coordinate next steps with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and engage directly with Thailand. On Saturday, US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he had spoken to both leaders and warned that the United States would not proceed with trade talks if the violence continued. He claimed both sides agreed to hold talks following his intervention. Death Toll Rises At least 34 people have died since fighting erupted on Thursday near disputed temples along the jungle-clad border. The violence began when a landmine explosion injured five Thai soldiers. Both sides accuse each other of triggering the conflict. Thailand reports eight soldiers and 13 civilians dead, while Cambodia has confirmed five military and eight civilian deaths. More than 1,38,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand's border areas, and 80,000 displaced in Cambodia. The clashes, involving jets, tanks and ground troops, have escalated around ancient temple sites long claimed by both nations. Thailand has accused Cambodia of attacking hospitals, while Cambodia says Thai forces used cluster munitions. Fresh Shelling Near Temples Despite diplomatic efforts, fresh artillery fire was reported Sunday near two disputed temples in the frontier region. AFP journalists in the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20 kilometres from the front line, reported the sound of heavy shelling early in the day. Thai army deputy spokesman Ritcha Suksuwanon said Cambodian forces began firing at around 4:00 am in a battle over key positions. Tensions are also rising at home. Thai authorities warned citizens against inciting violence towards Cambodian migrants, urging restraint amid growing nationalist sentiment. (With inputs from agencies) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
30 minutes ago
- News18
Katz Warns Khamenei "He's Next if..." Cautions Against Threatening Israel; Iran Raps Gaza Blockade
Israeli Defense Minister Katz threatened Iran's Khamenei with direct retaliation, while the US touted its Iran airstrikes as deterring allies' support for Tehran. Iran's health minister urged urgent global action to stop Gaza's humanitarian collapse, warning of famine and infant deaths. Hamas slammed Israeli airdrops as a 'deceptive' ploy. Australia and Germany condemned the Gaza siege. Meanwhile, three IDF soldiers were jailed for refusing Gaza deployment, and four others, including a commander, were wounded during operations in southern Rafah. 00:00 - INTRODUCTION01:47 - IRAN MINISTER URGES GLOBAL ACTION TO SAVE GAZANS05:06 - 3 ISRAELI SOLDIERS DISMISSED, JAILED FOR 'REBELLION'n18oc_world n18oc_crux
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Israel accuses China of helping Iran to rebuild its ballistic missiles programme, warns Beijing as it says..., its ambassador to US...
New Delhi: There has been a long-standing tension between Israel and Iran. Even though the war between the two countries has stopped, the sharp rhetoric is still going on. Meanwhile, Israel has claimed that China is helping Iran rebuild its ballistic missile program. Israel's ambassador to the US, Dr. Michael Leiter, has warned China that this is a very worrying sign. What did the Israeli ambassador say? The ambassador said, 'While we have succeeded in causing considerable damage to the program, it is now our responsibility to ensure that negative elements, especially China, do not help Iran rebuild it.' He also said that he was referring to reports of chemical precursors for missile fuel being sent from China to Iran, aimed at making the restoration of the missile array possible. The Israel Iran conflict Let us tell you that the war between Israel and Iran escalated significantly last month. The Israeli army targeted Iran's ballistic missile program, including launchers. Iran responded to the Israeli attacks that began on June 13 by firing more than 370 ballistic missiles at Israel in the first four days of the war. When USA and Iran launched attacks on each other The war between the two continued for several days, in which America also entered later. In coordination with Israel, the United States launched a series of strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. These attacks, part of Operation Midnight Hammer, involved the use of B-2 stealth bombers carrying bunker buster bombs and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles. The strikes targeted facilities involved in uranium enrichment and nuclear research, with the goal of crippling Iran's nuclear programme. Following these attacks, Iran launched missiles at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on 23 June 2025, in retaliation for the United States strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on 22 June as part of the Iran–Israel war. The attack, codenamed Operation Glad Tidings of Victory, followed a 16 June drone attack by Iran on the US consulate in Erbil, Iraq.
