In a press release on July 26, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced that its civilian vessel Handala, which was en route to break the blockade of Gaza, has been violently intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters about 40 nautical miles from Gaza. The boat was unarmed and carried life-saving aid.
“At 23:43 EEST Palestine time the Occupation cut the cameras on board Handala and we have lost all communication with our ship…. Handala carried a shipment of critical humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, including baby formula, diapers, food, and medicine. 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 Handala carried 21 civilians representing 12 countries, including parliamentarians, lawyers, journalists, labor organizers, environmentalists, and other human rights defenders,” reads the statement. The seizure is the third violent act this year by the Israeli military against the Freedom Flotilla.
