Overview
- Israeli naval forces intercepted and boarded the Handala in international waters about 50 nautical miles from Gaza on July 26, then towed it to Ashdod Port.
- The UK-flagged vessel carried 21 unarmed civilians, including activists, medics, European parliamentarians and two Al Jazeera journalists who livestreamed the raid.
- Cargo designed to deliver baby formula, diapers, food and medicine to Gaza was confiscated and is set to be rerouted through Israel’s existing land-based aid channels.
- Israel’s Foreign Ministry defended the operation as legal enforcement of its maritime security blockade and warned that unauthorized seaborne aid attempts are dangerous.
- The Handala’s seizure mirrors a similar June operation against the Madleen flotilla, underscoring repeated challenges to breaking Gaza’s naval embargo.