Israeli Navy Seizes Gaza-Bound Aid Ship in International Waters, Detains Activists

Israeli naval forces intercepted the Handala, an aid vessel attempting to breach the blockade of Gaza, and towed it to the port of Ashdod on Sunday after detaining its 21-member international crew. The ship, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was seized in international waters west of Gaza late Saturday, according to both Israeli authorities and activists.

The Israeli legal rights group Adalah reported that its lawyers were allowed to meet with 19 of the detained activists at Ashdod Port, while two dual Israeli-US citizens were transferred to police custody. The crew included activists from 10 countries, among them two French parliamentarians, two Al Jazeera journalists, and seven US citizens. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that two Italians on board would be forcibly repatriated if they did not agree to leave Israel immediately.

Adalah described the interception as unlawful, claiming the vessel never entered Israeli territorial waters and was headed for Gaza. The Israeli military said it was enforcing the maritime security blockade on the Gaza Strip, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirming that all passengers were safe and the vessel was brought to shore to prevent entry into Gaza's coastal waters.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said in a statement that the Handala was carrying only civilian, non-military aid intended for Gaza's population, which it described as facing severe shortages under the blockade. The group also alleged that Israeli forces cut communication and cameras during the interception, which occurred about 40 nautical miles from Gaza.

This is the second time in recent months that Israel has prevented a coalition-operated ship from reaching Gaza. The incident comes amid growing international concern over the humanitarian situation in the territory, where, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, dozens have recently died from malnutrition and nearly 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war. Israeli authorities maintain that, while conditions are difficult, there is no widespread famine and have announced new aid airdrops and humanitarian pauses to facilitate deliveries.