Israel intercepts ship Handala carrying aid to Gaza; detains 21 activists, journalists

‘Violently intercepted’

Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which operates Handala, told AP on Sunday (July 27) that the Israeli military “violently intercepted” the ship in international waters about 40 nautical miles from Gaza, cutting the cameras and communication, just before midnight on Saturday.

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“All cargo was non-military, civilian, and intended for direct distribution to a population facing deliberate starvation and medical collapse under Israel's illegal blockade," the group said in a statement.

Israel confirms interception

The Israeli military is yet to comment on the development. Israel's Foreign Ministry posted on X early on Sunday that the Navy stopped the vessel and was bringing it to shore.

“The vessel is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. All passengers are safe,” the statement said, adding, “Unauthorised attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.”

The Handala, has, on numerous occasions, tried to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza through sea and deliver aid to Palestinians living in the region.

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It was the second ship operated by the coalition that Israel has prevented in recent months from delivering aid to Gaza, where food experts have for months warned of the risk of famine. Activist Greta Thunberg was among 12 activists on board the ship Madleen when it was seized by the Israeli military in June.

Hunger deaths at 127

Handala’s interception comes as Israel faces mounting international criticism over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, with concern growing over rising hunger in the territory amid Israeli restrictions on aid. Authorities in Gaza peg the total number of deaths due to hunger at 127 including 85 children since the war broke out, according to an Al Jazeera report.

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The report said at least 42 of the 71 Palestinians killed in Gaza by Israeli forces on Saturday were starving and were seeking food aid.

Even though the Israeli government has said that it will allow “humanitarian pauses” in some parts of Gaza, and has reportedly dropped a small quantity of food aid in northern Gaza, experts, including UN officials and humanitarian groups, have called it an “inefficient”, “costly” and “dangerous” plan.

Rights group demands release of detainees

A regional human rights group, Adalah, said the raid on Handala violated international law. It demanded the immediate release of the 21 activists, including lawmakers and human rights campaigners, from 10 countries.

“The flotilla never entered Israeli territorial waters, nor was it intended to do so; it was headed toward the territorial waters of the State of Palestine, as recognised under international law," Adalah said in a statement. “Israel has no legal jurisdiction or authority over the international waters in which the vessel was sailing.”

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Adalah demanded immediate disclosure of the activists' location and legal status.

Lawmaker Nicola Fratoianni, of a left-wing environmentalist party, called on the Italian government to ensure the safety of the two Italians on board.

Also on board were seven US citizens, including a human rights attorney, a Jewish US war veteran and a Jewish-American activist, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.