Freedom Flotilla ship carrying aid to Gaza intercepted by Israel
‘Handala’ was the second ship operated by the group that Israel prevented from delivering aid to Gaza, where experts have warned of famine
The Israeli military has intercepted a Gaza-bound aid ship seeking to break the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory, detaining 21 international activists and journalists and seizing all cargo, including baby milk formula, food and medicine, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said on Sunday.
The coalition that operates the vessel Handala said the Israeli military “violently intercepted” the ship in international waters about 40 nautical miles from Gaza, cutting the cameras and communication just before midnight on Saturday.
“All cargo was non-military, civilian and intended for direct distribution to a population facing deliberate starvation and medical collapse under Israel’s illegal blockade,’’ the group said in a statement.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment. Israel’s Foreign Ministry posted on social media early on Sunday that the Navy stopped the vessel and was bringing it to shore.
The ship’s interception comes as Israel faces mounting international criticism over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, with concern growing over rising hunger in the territory amid Israeli restrictions on aid.