Israeli naval forces took control of the Handala ship overnight Saturday to Sunday after it approached the coast of Gaza. Just before the ship's cameras were cut off, footage showed several Israeli soldiers boarding the vessel as flotilla participants raised their hands in surrender.
The IDF has yet to comment on the incident. However, it is expected that, as with the Madleen vessel previously, the ship will be towed to the port of Ashdod, and its passengers returned to their countries of origin. The Foreign Ministry stated: "The Israeli Navy prevented the illegal entry of the vessel into the maritime area off the Gaza coast. The vessel is safely en route to Israeli shores. All passengers are safe. Unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, illegal, and harm ongoing humanitarian efforts."
Earlier in the evening, flotilla participants had announced they were preparing for an Israeli Navy takeover. "We have switched to emergency mode," they said. On their X account, they reported reaching the area where the IDF previously seized the Madleen, which attempted to reach Gaza last month.
The Handala set sail on July 13 from the port of Syracuse in Sicily, aiming "to break the blockade on Gaza," about a month after Israeli naval forces intercepted the "Madelene," which was carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the vessel departed with approximately 15 activists on board. Dozens of supporters had gathered at the port ahead of its departure, waving Palestinian flags, wearing keffiyehs, and chanting slogans against Israel. According to the organizers, the boat, formerly a Norwegian fishing vessel, was carrying medical supplies, food, children's items, and medicine. They had planned to reach the shores of Gaza within a week.
A week into its journey, the Handala crew began reporting safety incidents, which they blamed on Israel. After departing from the port of Gallipoli in southern Italy, where it had docked during the week, the crew hinted just hours later that Israel had attempted to disrupt the ship's mission to "break the blockade on Gaza."
