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Israeli forces raid Gaza-bound vessel carrying humanitarian aid

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jul 27, 2025

Israeli soldiers have raided Handala, a Freedom Flotilla Coalition vessel which was sailing toward the Gaza Strip, making it the third humanitarian ship attacked in international waters since May.

Handala was 40 nautical miles from Gaza when it was attacked by Israeli forces late on Saturday, who kidnapped all activists on board, according to a statement by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (F.F.C.), a global group highlighting the inhumanity of the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza.

"The unarmed boat was carrying life-saving supplies when it was boarded by Israeli forces, its passengers abducted, and its cargo seized. The interception occurred in international waters outside Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, in violation of international maritime law," said the statement.

The F.F.C. said the supplies carried by 21 activists representing a dozen countries included baby formula, diapers, food, and medicine. "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," it added.

The Handala's crew members, including representatives of European parliaments and artistic and media figures, said they would go on an indefinite hunger strike if detained by Israeli forces.

The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, described the attack on Handala as piracy and a new crime of terrorism, and an obvious challenge to human conscience.

Praising the courage of the international activists on board the ship, Hamas said that their message of solidarity has reached the people of Gaza and the world, and that the global public opinion has become increasingly aware of the crimes of the occupying regime.

The Gaza Information Office condemned the attack as a new act of maritime piracy by Israeli soldiers. It called on the international community and the United Nations to take immediate and decisive action against Israel, according to Qatar's Al Jazeera media network.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine strongly condemned the raid as well. This new act of maritime piracy adds to the Israeli aggression against international activists supporting Palestine, it said.

The attack Handala marks the third violent act by Israeli forces against Freedom Flotilla missions this year, according to the coalition.

In May, Israeli drones bombed civilian aid ship Conscience in European waters, injuring four people and disabling the vessel. And in June, the Israeli regime's forces seized Madleen and abducted 12 activists, including a Member of the European Parliament.

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