Latest news with #FreedomFlotilla


Days of Palestine
2 days ago
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Preparations Underway for 'Maghreb Solidarity Flotilla'
DaysofPal- Mauritania has officially confirmed its participation in the 'Maghreb Solidarity Flotilla', part of the second phase of popular and international initiatives aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, amid terrible ongoing Israeli genocide. According to the Joint Coordination for Palestine Advocacy, preparations are underway for the flotilla, which will include ships launching from ports in Europe and North Africa. The fleet is expected to set sail toward Gaza in late summer or early autumn, with activists and representatives from organizations in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, and now Mauritania on board. This initiative follows the 'Maghreb Convoy of Sumud', a land convoy launched in June, which featured notable Mauritanian participation by activist and poet Dr. Mohamed El-Amin Ould Mohamed El-Moustapha, who joined a popular delegation traveling through Tunisia and Libya en route to the Rafah border crossing. Organizers state that the maritime phase aims to escalate public and human rights pressure to lift the siege and achieve a symbolic and humanitarian breakthrough for over two million Palestinians in Gaza, half of whom are facing acute famine. A press conference is expected in the coming days to announce the full details of the sea route, the sailing schedule, and the national organizing committees in each participating Maghreb country. The initiative is backed by international coalitions, including the Freedom Flotilla, the Global Coalition to Break the Siege, and several human rights and academic organizations. There are growing calls for expanded public and official participation, as well as international protection for humanitarian ships. Shortlink for this post:


Roya News
4 days ago
- Roya News
Suspected sabotage, chemical attack hours before ‘Handala' departure to Gaza
Just hours before its scheduled departure to Gaza, the humanitarian vessel Handala faced two alarming incidents that appear to be deliberate attempts to sabotage the mission. According to the Freedom Flotilla, a rope was found wrapped around the boat's propeller, potentially disabling the vessel's engine. Later, a delivery purported to be fresh water was labeled as sulfuric acid and contained a corrosive chemical. When crew members inspected the container, one was splashed on the leg and sustained chemical burns, while another suffered burns to his hand after opening the container and detecting a strong chemical odor. The flotilla's organizers condemned these incidents as calculated efforts to harm crew members and obstruct their humanitarian mission. They emphasized that despite these attacks, they remain determined to sail 'for the children of Gaza—against siege, starvation, and slaughter,' aiming to break 'Israel's' blockade and deliver vital aid. 'We will not be intimidated, we will not be silenced, and we will not stop,' the Freedom Flotilla stated. The group has called on the international community to hold those responsible accountable and to guarantee safe passage for their civilian mission to Gaza. A full investigation into the sabotage attempts is underway.


Al Jazeera
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Jazeera
Who is Handala, the inspiration behind latest Gaza flotilla ship
Who is Handala, the inspiration behind latest Gaza flotilla ship? NewsFeed Handala is the name of the new Freedom Flotilla vessel carrying activists and humanitarian aid to challenge the Israeli blockade on Gaza. But who is Handala? Video Duration 01 minutes 03 seconds 01:03 Video Duration 01 minutes 46 seconds 01:46 Video Duration 02 minutes 33 seconds 02:33 Video Duration 02 minutes 43 seconds 02:43 Video Duration 01 minutes 10 seconds 01:10 Video Duration 01 minutes 57 seconds 01:57 Video Duration 00 minutes 31 seconds 00:31


Al Jazeera
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
New Freedom Flotilla ship sets sail to challenge Gaza blockade
New Freedom Flotilla ship sets sail to challenge Gaza blockade NewsFeed A new Freedom Flotilla ship, the Handala, has departed from Italy for an attempt to break Israel's blockade on Gaza and deliver essential aid. The last vessel to make the journey, the Madleen, was seized by Israeli forces in international waters in June. Video Duration 02 minutes 36 seconds 02:36 Video Duration 02 minutes 08 seconds 02:08 Video Duration 00 minutes 24 seconds 00:24 Video Duration 02 minutes 24 seconds 02:24 Video Duration 00 minutes 57 seconds 00:57 Video Duration 03 minutes 31 seconds 03:31 Video Duration 02 minutes 14 seconds 02:14


Al Bawaba
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
"Handala" Humanitarian ship departs from Italy toward Gaza amid ongoing blockade
ALBAWABA - A new Freedom Flotilla ship called Handala sailed from the port of Syracuse in Sicily, Italy, on Sunday. It was bringing relief aid and pro-Palestinian activists who want to break Israel's ban on Gaza. The plan comes after more than 21 months of terrible war and a humanitarian crisis in the coastal region. Dozens of people holding Palestinian flags and shouting "Free Palestine" cheered as about 15 activists got on board. The international Freedom Flotilla Coalition organizes and funds the project with gifts from people all over the world. The French leader of the fleet, Claude Léostik, said the mission was a show of international unity with the people of Gaza and a way to bring attention to their pain because they are under lockdown. On July 18, Handala will stop in Gallipoli, which is in the southeast of Italy. There, Gabrielle Catala and Emma Fourreau, two French MPs from the communist "La France Insoumise" party, will join the mission. Catala stressed how important it was to end the blockade and send aid, especially to the children of Gaza. He also said that any attempt to stop the mission would be another breach of international law. Six weeks ago, in June, the Maddalena tried to make a similar trip but was stopped by Israeli troops about 185 km off the coast of Gaza. Twelve protestors were on that ship, including Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a European MP who was arrested after the ship was sunk. Humanitarian groups say that since the fighting started on October 7, 2023, over 196,000 Palestinians have been killed or hurt in Gaza. More than 10,000 people are still missing, and hundreds of thousands have been forced to leave their homes because of what Palestinian leaders call a U.S.-backed murder operation.