Israeli forces are holding 11 foreign activists seized from the Gaza‑bound aid vessel Handala, after intercepting it in international waters. The ship was part of a peaceful flotilla aimed at challenging Israel’s blockade of Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid to its besieged population.

The activists, comprising aid workers, campaigners, and journalists from several countries, had sought to highlight the dire humanitarian crisis created by nearly 18 years of blockade, repeated military assaults, and restrictions on goods and movement. After the interception, the Handala was escorted to an Israeli port, where detainees were placed under investigation or administrative detention, with limited legal access.

Human rights organisations condemned the arrests, calling for the immediate release of those held and renewed scrutiny of the blockade, which has left Gaza’s population on the brink of famine. The incident has reignited international debate over freedom of navigation, humanitarian access, and the deepening crisis in Gaza.