Israeli naval forces intercepted the Handala, a civilian vessel carrying humanitarian aid, in international waters on Saturday night, amid Gaza’s ongoing blockade.
The Handala, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was seized approximately 40 nautical miles from Gaza while carrying baby formula, food, and medicine.
Israeli forces boarded the unarmed vessel, detained 21 civilians from 12 countries, and towed the ship to Ashdod Port for questioning.
The FFC condemned the act as a violation of international maritime law, with crew member Huwaida Arraf, a Palestinian American activist and lawyer, stating:
Israeli Navy, this is a civilian vessel, Handala. Let me give you a lesson in international law. Any blockade that deliberately starves a civilian population is a violation of international law. It is not only that – it is a war crime. You have no legal authority to enforce an unlawful blockade. And as such, you have no authority to use force to enforce an unlawful blockade.
The Gaza Government Media Office labeled the seizure “maritime piracy,” accusing Israel of targeting humanitarian initiatives to starve Gaza’s 2.4 million residents.
Israel’s 18-year blockade of Gaza, intensified since March 2, has blocked all aid convoys, ignoring global calls to allow humanitarian access.
The World Food Program reported one-third of Gaza’s population has gone days without food, with 133 deaths from starvation since October 2023, including 87 children.
Israel’s ongoing offensive, which has killed over 59,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, has destroyed Gaza’s infrastructure, exacerbating food and medical shortages.
The International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court have accused Israel of war crimes, including deliberate starvation, yet Israel persists in rejecting ceasefire demands.
The Handala carried activists, including parliamentarians, journalists, and human rights defenders, aiming to spotlight Gaza’s crisis.
The seizure follows similar incidents, including the June interception of the Madleen, which detained activists like Greta Thunberg, and a May drone attack on the MV Conscience near Malta.
Ann Wright of the FFC demanded the release of the detained civilians, stating:
Israel has no legal authority to detain international civilians aboard the Handala. This is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction. These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.
The international community, including the UN and rights groups, has been urged to act against Israel’s actions, which defy legal obligations to ensure Gaza’s civilians receive adequate food and medicine.