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3d ago

Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Handala in International Waters, Detains 20 Activists

The interception highlights legal clashes over Israel’s naval blockade as Gazans face worsening hunger under strict maritime controls.

A still from a livestream shows armored personnel intercepting the Handala, with those aboard surrendering immediately.
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Overview

  • On July 26, Israeli naval commandos boarded the UK-flagged Handala about 70 nautical miles off Gaza, detaining all 20 passengers and towing the ship to Ashdod port.
  • The flotilla vessel carried supplies including baby formula, diapers, medicine, and food intended to draw attention to Gaza’s dire humanitarian conditions.
  • Those detained consist of international activists, European lawmakers, and journalists, among them Christian Smalls, Emma Fourreau, and Huwaida Arraf.
  • Israel’s Foreign Ministry described the action as enforcement of a lawful maritime security blockade and warned that unauthorized attempts to breach it endanger ongoing aid efforts.
  • The Freedom Flotilla Coalition condemned the interception as a violation of international maritime law and demanded the immediate release of its civilian crew.