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The Israeli military has intercepted the Handala ship, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which was en route to Gaza to break the blockade and deliver humanitarian aid on Saturday. Activists aboard reported that Israeli forces seized the vessel as tensions escalated.
Emma Fourreau, a French member of the European Parliament traveling on the Handala, announced the intervention, stating, “The Israeli military is here. End the genocide.” The FFC shared updates on Telegram, noting that an Israeli ship and drone had approached the Handala, signaling a likely intervention. .
Onboard footage streamed live on YouTube showed crew members putting on life jackets and preparing for a possible confrontation. The flotilla altered its course southward toward the Egyptian coast but had not yet entered Egyptian waters, with no communication established with Israeli forces.
Two Israeli naval vessels, believed to be military, were reported close to the Handala, raising concerns among those onboard. Should the threat increase, the crew intends to request emergency access from Egyptian coast guards.
This latest incident follows a June 9 intervention by Israeli forces against another Freedom Flotilla vessel, the Madleen, which was carrying activists including Greta Thunberg. The activists were detained and later deported.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has emphasized the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting severe food shortages and widespread suffering, as documented in recent social media footage showing people weakened by hunger.
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