Israeli naval commandos boarded the civilian aid ship Handala, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, in international waters roughly 40 miles off Gaza’s coast late on Saturday, detaining all 21 people on board. The activists, from 12 nations including two journalists, had declared an intent to defy Israel’s maritime blockade by delivering essential supplies, such as baby formula, food and medicine, to Gaza.

Live-stream footage captured the moment Israeli forces ordered the unarmed passengers to raise their hands. Communications and cameras on the vessel were abruptly cut, intensifying fears over the welfare of those detained.

The Freedom Flotilla reports that the Handala had broadcast a distress signal as drone surveillance and naval vessels approached. The mission’s organizers emphasize that the operation constituted a flagrant violation of international maritime law, as the ship never entered Israeli territorial waters.

The vessel departed Syracuse, Italy on 13 July, paused briefly in Gallipoli to address technical issues, and resumed its journey on 20 July carrying a crew of human rights defenders, journalists and civil society figures from 10 countries, including seven Americans.

This interception follows a string of similar incidents. In May, another flotilla ship, Conscience, was damaged by drone fire; in June, Israeli forces detained 12 activists aboard the Madleen, including Greta Thunberg, confiscating aid supplies and later deporting or detaining them under restricted conditions.

International criticism is mounting. Human rights advocates insist the Handala was obeying international law, carrying non‑violent passengers delivering humanitarian aid, while Israeli authorities have justified the boarding on security grounds and its refusal to authorise entry to Gaza’s coast.

Governments including those of Spain and Australia, where several detained activists are citizens, are now pressing for clarity and the immediate release of all detainees. The fate of both the crew and the aid aboard remains uncertain.