Mission of the Pro-Palestinian Coalition Flotilha da Freedom tried to break the naval blockade imposed on Palestinian territory; Handala is the second boat of the movement
As took this Sunday (27) a vessel with help to chartered by Pro-Palestinos activists, to the Ashdod port after intercepted the boat in international waters and detained the crew. The humanitarian boat of the Pro-Palestinian Coalition Flotilla of Freedom tried to break the naval blockade imposed on Palestinian territory, but was intercepted on Saturday night. The Israeli NGO of Arab Community Defense Adalah told AFP that its lawyers are in Ashdod and demanded to speak to the 21 crew members, including two French parliamentarians of the unsubmissive France party and two al Jazeera journalists.
“The Israeli forces intercepted the Handala in international waters around midnight of July 27, 2025 and contact with the activists was lost. This peaceful civil mission was devoted to the children of Gaza,” the organization said, who highlighted his efforts to “breaking Israel’s illegal and deadly block” over Gaza. Previously, Israel’s Foreign Ministry reported that the Israeli Navy had intercepted the vessel to prevent it from entering the coast of the Palestinian territory.
“The vessel is coming safely on the back of Israel. All passengers are safe,” he said. Shortly before Saturday midnight, a live broadcast of the Handala crew showed the Israeli troops rising aboard the boat which, according to an online tracker, was in international waters west of Gaza. Before the attack, activists from 10 countries stated in an X publication that they would start a hunger strike if the Israeli army intercept the boat and stopped its passengers.
Handala is the second boat chartered by this pro-passion movement that tries to break the naval block over Gaza. On June 9, Madleen was intercepted in international waters and also towed by the Israeli forces to Ashdod. On board were 12 activists, including Swedish Greta Thunberg and Brazilian Thiago Ávila, who were expelled from Israel.
*With information from AFP
