07/29/2025
In a violation of international law, Israeli forces launched an attack on the unarmed civilian ship Handala late Saturday night, brutally seizing the vessel in international waters as it carried lifesaving aid to starving Palestinians in Gaza. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) confirmed that Israeli commandos stormed the ship approximately 40 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast—far outside Israel’s legal jurisdiction—cutting communications, disabling cameras, and abducting 21 humanitarian activists at gunpoint.
Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels, with systemic deprivation and violence pushing the population to the brink of survival. Over 70,000 children urgently require treatment for acute malnutrition as hospitals, crippled by fuel shortages and depleted supplies, struggle to function amid relentless bombardment . Israel’s intermittent “humanitarian pauses” fail to address the scale of need, with aid deliveries covering less than 10% of Gaza’s requirements while military operations persist, exacerbating starvation and displacement . Despite overwhelming international condemnation—including a 149-12 UN General Assembly vote demanding an end to Israel’s blockade—the U.S. and allied nations continue to shield Israel from accountability, perpetuating a cycle of impunity and suffering.
-
70,000+ children require acute malnutrition treatment, while hospitals collapse without fuel or supplies .
-
Israel’s so-called “humanitarian pauses” are a smokescreen—aid trucks deliver less than 10% of Gaza’s needs, while attacks continue.
-
The UN General Assembly voted 149-12 to demand Israel end its blockade, but the U.S. and allies shield it from consequences .
A War Crime Against Starving Civilians
The Handala was transporting urgently needed supplies—baby formula, food, and medicine—to a besieged population that I.srael has deliberately starved for months. Footage from the ship’s livestream showed Israeli soldiers, armed with assault rifles, boarding the vessel as unarmed activists raised their hands in surrender. The transmission was abruptly cut as Israel sought to conceal its crimes.
“This is not an interception—it’s an act of piracy and a war crime,” said Huwaida Arraf, a Palestinian-American human rights lawyer aboard the ship. “Israel is enforcing an illegal blockade to collectively punish 2 million people, half of them children. They are weaponizing hunger.”
Among those kidnapped by Israeli forces were:
-
Emma Fourreau, a French Member of the European Parliament, who had previously condemned Israel’s blockade as “genocidal.”
-
Christian Smalls, a U.S. labor leader, who declared, “We will not let Israel starve Gaza in silence.”
-
Mohamed El Bakkali, an Al Jazeera journalist documenting the aid mission.
Israel’s Cover-Up
The Israeli military falsely claimed the ship posed a security threat, despite carrying only humanitarian supplies. Its Foreign Ministry cynically stated that the activists were “safe” while omitting that they were being forcibly taken to an Israeli prison.
This attack is part of a systematic campaign to block aid to Gaza. In June, Israel hijacked another flotilla ship, the Madleen, detaining climate activist Greta Thunberg and others. The UN has repeatedly warned that Israel’s blockade has pushed Gaza to the brink of famine, with children dying from malnutrition and preventable diseases.
Global Outrage Grows
Human rights organizations and governments worldwide condemned the assault:
- The UN Human Rights Office warned that Israel’s actions may constitute crimes against humanity
-
Spain called it “a blatant violation of maritime law” and pledged to escalate pressure for Palestinian statehood.
- Italy and Belgium joined the outcry, with Italian peace activists demanding sanctions against Israel for its “piracy in international waters”.
-
The UN Human Rights Office warned that Israel’s actions may constitute crimes against humanity.
-
Doctors Without Borders accused Israel of “deliberately sabotaging medical aid to Gaza.”
-
France, and Norway led a joint UN statement condemning Israel’s “man-made famine” and demanding unrestricted aid access .
-
Turkey accused Israel of acting as a “terror state” after its attack on the Madleen flotilla in June, which included activist Greta Thunberg .
-
Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged sanctions, arms embargoes, and ICC prosecutions against Israeli officials for genocidal policies .
-
Australia’s activists aboard the Handala, Tania Safi and Robert Martin, called for sanctions on Israel and their immediate release 9.
-
New Zealand’s Kia Ora Gaza condemned the interception and demanded an end to complicity with Israel’s genocide
-
South Africa reinforced its ICJ genocide case against Israel, citing the Handala attack as further evidence 2.
-
The EU Commissioner for Crisis Management joined 25 nations in condemning Israel’s “inhumane killing” of civilians and blockade tactics
- Iran condemned the raid as “maritime piracy” and a “gross violation of international law”, calling for global sanctions
Israel has a long record of attacking humanitarian missions, most infamously in 2010 when its commandos massacred 10 activists aboard the Mavi Marmara. The Handala—named after a Palestinian child symbolizing resistance—was the latest target in Israel’s cruel strategy of starving Gaza into submission.
Demand Justice: The Handala activists now face illegal detention, with several vowing hunger strikes. Protests are erupting globally, demanding their immediate release and an end to Israel’s blockade.