Israeli forces intercepted the aid ship Handala, bound for Gaza, on Saturday night while it was about 70 nautical miles from its destination. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) reported that communication had ceased, with a spokesperson citing that “the occupation has disabled our cameras.” A YouTube livestream captured armed personnel boarding the vessel as activists on deck raised their hands in surrender, wearing life jackets.
Footage revealed that one of the personnel appeared to tamper with the camera broadcasting from the ship, and the livestream stopped shortly after. Israel’s foreign ministry later confirmed the interception, asserting that the vessel, originally named Navarn, had been stopped to prevent illegal entry into the Gaza maritime zone. They stated that the passengers were safe, and highlighted that attempts to breach the blockade were illegal and posed risks to humanitarian efforts.
The Handala, named after a well-known Palestinian cartoon character, was part of a movement that has a history of attempting to deliver aid to Gaza via sea, with various attempts previously made. Notably, the ship carried two European parliament members and a US trade unionist. The FFC claimed that the unarmed vessel was delivering essential supplies such as baby formula, food, and medicine when intercepted.
Hours before the Israeli boarding, the FFC indicated that the Handala was attempting to avoid interception by steering towards Egypt. Safety precautions were heightened, with volunteers seen donning life jackets after reports of Israeli drones circling the ship.
An Australian volunteer, Tania Safi, shared her concerns about potential interception with CNN, stating that preparations were in place for various scenarios, asserting that any boarding would violate international maritime law. Among the passengers on the Handala were four US citizens, and the FFC expressed concerns over their well-being amid the situation.
In a critical response to the mission, a US State Department spokesperson dismissed the boat as a “selfie flotilla,” suggesting that it was an unnecessary stunt. They emphasized the focus should be on serious efforts to supply food and aid to Gazans without enabling terrorism, reaffirming their commitment to the safety of US citizens and referring further inquiries to Israeli authorities.
As the incident unfolded, the Handala was towed to Ashdod, where all aboard were deported from Israel, further raising concerns about the implications of such actions on international maritime laws and humanitarian initiatives.