Following a 12-hour journey at sea, Israeli forces brought the civilian ship Handala to Ashdod port early this morning after intercepting it in international waters, about 40 nautical miles from Gaza.
Despite repeated demands, Israeli authorities have denied lawyers from Adalah, The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, access to the 21 detained activists for legal consultation, the center said in a statement on Sunday.
The ship was carrying life-saving supplies, including baby formula, diapers, food, and medicine, intended for Gaza and was part of a peaceful civilian mission to challenge Israel’s blockade, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC).
“At 23:43 EST Palestine time, the Occupation cut the cameras on board Handala, and we have lost all communication with our ship,” the coalition said in a statement.
“The unarmed boat was carrying life-saving supplies when it was boarded by Israeli forces, its passengers abducted, and its cargo seized. The interception occurred in international waters outside Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, in violation of international maritime law,” the statement read.
https://x.com/ICBSOFGAZA/status/1949210036095332516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1949210036095332516%7Ctwgr%5E5e12ad6b4849261a51ec44d9ede719f00b0e7231%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmanassa.news%2Fnews%2F25919
Prior to the raid, activists aboard Handala had attempted to communicate with the Israeli navy, which had previously warned them against approaching Gaza.
In response to these Israeli threats, the crew altered course toward Egypt, requesting emergency entry to Al-Arish port, according to Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed El Bakkali, who was aboard the ship. However, Egyptian authorities did not respond, forcing the ship to turn back toward its original route before its eventual seizure.
The 21 passengers aboard the vessel represent a diverse coalition of lawmakers, lawyers, journalists, unionists, environmentalists, and human rights advocates from 12 countries.
Among the passengers are Palestinian American human rights attorney Huwaida Arraf, Australian journalist and organizer of Lebanese descent Tania Safi, senior Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed El Bakkali, US-based cameraman and field reporter with Al Jazeera Waad Al-Mousa, and Tunisian trade unionist and international activist Hatem Aouini.
According to FFC, the incident marked Israel’s third attack on Freedom Flotilla Coalition missions this year.
Just last month, Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla vessel Madleen, detaining 12 civilians who were attempting to deliver medical supplies and messages of solidarity to Gaza. The ship had departed from Sicily, Italy, on June 1. Israeli forces arrested the activists on board and later deported them.
Previously speaking to Al Manassa, Zaher Birawi, head of the International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza disclosed that the Madleen is still being held by Israeli authorities.
“The owners have previously filed legal complaints against Israel in British and Spanish courts, and we are exploring new legal avenues now,” he said.
A month before intercepting the Madleen, Israel reportedly used drones to strike another Freedom Flotilla vessel, the Conscience, which was sailing near Malta en route to Gaza.
“Shortly before their abduction, the Handala‘s crew affirmed that they would be hunger-striking if detained by Israeli forces and not accepting any food from the Israeli Occupation Forces,” the FFC said.
“Israel has no legal authority to detain international civilians aboard the Handala,” said Ann Wright, a member of the Freedom Flotilla’s steering committee. “This is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction. These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.”
The 55-foot diesel-powered vessel, originally a Norwegian fishing boat named ‘Navarn’ and built in 1968, was acquired by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) in 2023 and renamed ‘Handala’.
This name pays tribute to the iconic barefoot refugee child created by Palestinian cartoonist Naji Al-Ali, who has become a powerful symbol of Palestinian resistance.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition emerged in 2010 following Turkish-led efforts to challenge the Gaza blockade. Its founding organizations include the Free Gaza Movement and the European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza.
The most prominent mission to date remains the 2010 sailing of the Mavi Marmara, which was raided by Israeli forces, leaving 10 activists dead and dozens wounded.
