The last two remaining activists, detained after Israeli forces raided the Handala ship in international waters, were released this morning via the King Hussein Bridge into Jordan, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) announced.
American activist Christian Smalls and Tunisian volunteer Hatem Aouini had spent five days in Israeli custody following the interception of their Gaza-bound ship on Saturday.
The vessel, part of the Freedom Flotilla, had been sailing toward Gaza in a bid to challenge Israel's blockade on the enclave since 2007.
According to a statement by the coalition, both men had launched a hunger strike to protest their mistreatment.
Aouini was met by representatives from the Tunisian embassy at the border. In contrast, “neither the U.S. Consulate nor US Embassy officials met Christian at the border, even after being notified in advance of his arrival details.”
The FFC had previously reported that Smalls had been physically assaulted by seven members of Israeli authorities upon his initial detention, leaving visible bruising on his neck and back, in what they described as “discriminatory treatment.”
With their release, all 21 volunteers abducted from the Handala in international waters have now been released from Israeli captivity.
However, the coalition noted that more than 10,300 Palestinian political prisoners remain in Israeli jails, including at least 320 children, “in violation of international law,” the statement said, adding that many face torture and horrific forms of abuse.
The coalition reiterated its commitment to challenging the blockade, citing international law and the right of occupied peoples to resist. “While Israel continues to starve Palestinians and detain them en masse, we affirm our commitment to freedom, dignity, and justice for all. We will not stop until we break the siege and Palestine is free,” the statement read.
The Handala is the latest civilian vessel intercepted by Israeli forces while attempting to reach Gaza. In June, Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla vessel Madleen, detaining 12 civilians who were attempting to deliver medical supplies and messages of solidarity to Gaza.
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.
Named after the iconic cartoon figure created by Palestinian artist Naji Al-Ali, the Handala joined the Freedom Flotilla in 2023 and has since participated in global solidarity missions. The ship’s latest voyage, launched from Italy on July 13, carried the slogan “For the Children of Gaza.”
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.
