Aid Ship Bound for Gaza Intercepted by Israeli Forces

Israeli forces recently intercepted the Handala, a vessel carrying humanitarian aid and activists, approximately 70 nautical miles from its intended destination in Gaza. The incident occurred on Saturday night, with reports indicating that communications from the ship were disabled shortly after the interception.

A live online broadcast showed armed personnel boarding the Handala, while activists on deck, wearing life jackets, were seen with their hands raised in a gesture of surrender. The stream concluded after one of the helmeted individuals appeared to manipulate the camera.

In a statement released on X, Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed that the “Israeli navy has stopped the vessel Navarn from illegally entering the maritime zone of the coast of Gaza,” referring to the Handala by its original name. The statement further assured that the vessel was being safely directed to Israeli shores and all passengers were unharmed. It also emphasized that “unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.”

The Handala, named after a well-known Palestinian cartoon character, is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an organization that has made multiple attempts to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza by sea, aiming to challenge Israel’s blockade.

Among those on board were two members of the French and European parliaments, as well as Christian Small, a US trade unionist, according to the FFC. Following the end of the livestream, the FFC issued a statement asserting that the “unarmed boat was carrying life-saving supplies when it was boarded by Israeli forces, its passengers abducted, and its cargo seized.” The supplies reportedly included baby formula, diapers, food, and medicine.

Hours before the interception, the FFC had indicated that the Handala was redirecting towards Egypt in an attempt to avoid being boarded. This event follows a similar incident just over a month prior, when another Freedom Flotilla ship, the Madleen, was also intercepted en route to Gaza. That vessel, which included climate activist Greta Thunberg among its crew and was also laden with aid, was towed to Ashdod by Israeli authorities, and all individuals on board were subsequently deported from Israel.

On Sunday, the crew of the Handala arrived at the port of Ashdod, as confirmed by the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza, the Palestinian group that organized the voyage. Diplomatic representatives and legal counsel are reportedly awaiting authorization to access the crew.

Earlier on Saturday evening, crew members on the Handala were observed putting on reflective life jackets after Australian volunteer Tania Safi informed CNN via a voice note that the ship was being “circled by Israeli Heron drones.” CNN has not independently verified this claim and has sought comment from Israeli authorities.

Safi stated on Saturday afternoon, “Everyone here has prepared for almost every possible scenario that Israel could put us through. If they intercept us, it would be a violation of international maritime law.”

The FFC’s website indicates that the 19 activists and two journalists on the Handala hail from various countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed awareness of a Norwegian citizen being aboard the ship. The FFC also stated that four US citizens were on the Handala, and CNN has contacted the US State Department for comment.

On Thursday, a State Department spokesperson referred to the activist aid ship as a “selfie flotilla,” dismissing the effort as a mere “stunt.” The spokesperson added, “The real story is the serious people who put their lives on the line to get food and aid to the people of Gaza without it falling into the hands of terrorists.” The spokesperson also affirmed that the State Department’s “highest priority” is the safety and security of US citizens and directed inquiries to the government of Israel for further information.