Summary
- Israeli naval forces intercepted and seized
the Gaza-bound activist boat Handala, operated by the Freedom Flotilla
Coalition (FFC), in international waters and towed it into the Israeli port of
Ashdod.
- All 21 people on board, including international
activists and journalists from countries such as Australia, France, the UK, and
the US, were detained by Israeli authorities.
- The Freedom Flotilla Coalition stated that
the ship carried humanitarian cargo, including baby formula, diapers, food, and
medicine, aimed at alleviating a “deliberate starvation and medical collapse”
in Gaza.
- The Israeli Foreign Ministry and military
asserted the vessel was attempting to breach the maritime blockade and was
intercepted lawfully for security reasons.
- FFC and rights groups such as Adalah
condemned the interception as illegal, as it occurred in international waters,
and demanded legal representation and immediate release of those detained.
- No reports of injury or harm to the vessel’s
passengers; Israel said all were “safe” and would be deported as per
regulations.
- Activists and the FFC claimed cameras and
communications on board were cut during the operation, which they described as
“violent”.
- This is the second FFC ship, after Madleen
(which included climate activist Greta Thunberg), to be seized in recent months
while trying to deliver aid to Gaza.
- Israel stated it has resumed aid airdrops to
Gaza, plans to open humanitarian corridors, and establish “humanitarian pauses”
amidst increasing international pressure regarding the humanitarian crisis.
- The operation has sparked criticism from
rights organisations and led to increased calls for international intervention
to end what many describe as an “illegal” blockade.
Israeli Military Seizes Gaza Aid Flotilla Handala and Escorts
it to Ashdod, Detains Crew and Activists
Israeli naval forces seized the Handala, a
vessel carrying a group of international activists and humanitarian aid towards
Gaza, in international waters late Saturday and escorted it to Ashdod port on
Sunday, as reported by The Times of Israel and Reuters. The Handala, which
sailed under the banner of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was attempting to
breach the Israeli-imposed maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip.
What Happened During the Seizure?
How Did the Israeli Military
Intercept the Handala?
According to reporting by Ynetnews, the
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) intercepted the boat approximately 40 nautical
miles off the coast of Gaza, outside of Palestinian territorial waters. The
Freedom Flotilla Coalition (‘FFC’) stated in X posts, as quoted by BBC and
Times of India, that
“Handala was illegally boarded by the Israeli military in international waters”.
All cameras and communications aboard were cut
during the seizure, which FFC described as “violent” and “in contravention of
international maritime regulations” as quoted by Arab News.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated, as cited
by Dunya News,
“Naval forces stopped the vessel from illegally entering the maritime zone of the coast of Gaza … all passengers are safe”.
The
ship was subsequently brought to the port of Ashdod.
Who Was Onboard the Handala?
Which Activists and Journalists Were Detained?
The Handala carried 19 activists and two
journalists from a range of countries, including Australia, France, the United
Kingdom, and the United States, reports the BBC. The cargo consisted of baby
formula, food, medical supplies, and other humanitarian aid—to be distributed
directly to Gazans facing “deliberate starvation and medical collapse,”
according to FFC’s official statement relayed by Arab News[3] and Rolling
Stone.
Al Jazeera, quoting activists’ posts, reported
statements that “the vessel was transporting essential supplies … and all those
on board were arbitrarily detained,”. The legal rights centre Adalah, as cited
by The Times of Israel, said their lawyers are providing legal assistance to
those detained and have called for guarantees of legal representation.
What Was the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s Aim?
Reporting by The Times of Israel and Rolling
Stone quoted the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s mission: to challenge what the
campaigners describe as Israel’s “illegal” blockade of Gaza and deliver
critical humanitarian supplies amid worsening humanitarian conditions. Ann
Wright, a member of the steering committee, stated to Rolling Stone:
“Israel has no authority to detain international civilians in international waters. These are foreign nationals acting under international law… their detention is arbitrary and illegal”.
Does Israel Have a Legal Basis for the Interception?
According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, cited
by Dunya News and the BBC, unauthorised attempts to breach the blockade are
“dangerous, unlawful and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts”. The ministry
emphasised that all the boat’s passengers were unharmed, reiterating Israel’s
claim that the blockade is necessary for security reasons and that humanitarian
corridors and airdrops are in place to address urgent needs.
How Has Israel Responded to the Humanitarian Criticism?
Reuters and Arab News reported Israeli
officials saying that “aid airdrops have resumed and humanitarian corridors
will allow UN convoys to supply Gaza”. Israel said “humanitarian pauses” will
be implemented in densely populated areas to enable aid delivery.
Has This Happened Before?
What About Previous Freedom Flotilla Attempts?
This is not the first time such an incident
has occurred. Last month, Israeli naval forces seized another aid boat, the
Madleen, also part of the FFC and carrying, among others, climate activist
Greta Thunberg. According to the BBC and Al Jazeera English, the Madleen was
intercepted about 100 nautical miles from the Gaza coast. All arrested
activists were later deported.
What Have Rights Groups and International Observers Said?
Are the Activists’ Detentions Legal?
Adalah, a leading Israeli-Palestinian legal
rights group quoted by Anadolu and Al Jazeera, asserts the activists’ detention
“violates international law as the interception took place in international
waters” and is thus “arbitrary and illegal”. The FFC continues to demand
international intervention, and video statements by detained activists call on
global citizens to pressure governments to place sanctions on Israel, reports
BBC.
What Are the Humanitarian Stakes in Gaza?
Is Starvation Widespread in Gaza?
The United Nations and humanitarian groups
warn that Gaza faces a catastrophic food crisis. Rolling Stone cited the UN’s
World Food Programme, reporting famine has reached “astonishing levels of
desperation,” with swathes of the population not eating for days at a time.
Gaza’s Health Ministry, quoting The New York Times, said more deaths from
hunger were confirmed in the past month.
What Happens Next?
Will the Crew be Released?
As reported by The Times of Israel and Reuters,
Israeli authorities say all those detained will be treated according to legal
requirements and deported to their respective countries. Adalah insists it will
pursue legal action to secure their immediate release and guarantee their
rights while in custody.
The seizure of the Gaza-bound flotilla Handala
by Israeli forces in international waters, the detention of 21 international
activists and journalists, and escalating global calls for legal intervention
and humanitarian relief have thrown the ongoing Gaza blockade and the
territory’s acute humanitarian crisis back into the international spotlight.