Israeli troops seize Gaza-bound activist boat

This is the second Freedom Flotilla boat to be intercepted by Israel in recent months

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has confirmed that troops boarded a boat that the pro-Palestinian campaign group Freedom Flotilla had been sailing towards Gaza.

“The Israeli navy has stopped the vessel Navarn from illegally entering the maritime zone of the coast of Gaza,” the Foreign Ministry posted on X.

“The vessel is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. All passengers are safe.”

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The ship had been on course to try to break an Israeli naval blockade of Gaza and was carrying aid for Palestinians.

Israel blocked all aid to Gaza in March. A limited amount began entering in May, with food now being distributed by a private US foundation whose operations have been marred by violence. Israel on Saturday said it had dropped aid by air for the first time.

In a message on social media, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said: “Handala has been intercepted and boarded illegally by Israeli forces while in international waters,” using an alternative name for the boat.

Lawyers representing the crew of the Handala said on Sunday afternoon that Israeli authorities have blocked them from seeing detained crew members “despite repeated demands”.

“Adalah reiterates that the activists aboard the Handala were part of a peaceful civilian mission to break through Israel’s illegal blockade on Gaza,” a statement from the Adalah organisation said. “The vessel was intercepted in international waters and their detention constitutes a clear violation of international law.”

The Handala was carrying 19 activists, including European politicians, and two Al Jazeera journalists, who were able to broadcast from the vessel until shortly before its interception.

The broadcast showed them sitting on deck, holding their hands up and whistling the Italian anti-fascist song Bella Ciao, as the soldiers took control of the vessel.

Two French politician were among those detained, Emma Fourreau and Gabrielle Cathala. Their party leader, Jean-Luc Melenchon of France Unbowed (LFI), condemned Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Handala's crew said in a post on X that they would go on a hunger strike if the Israeli army intercepted the boat and detained its passengers.

The last boat sent by Freedom Flotilla, Madleen, was intercepted by the Israeli army in international waters on June 9 and towed towards the port of Ashdod. Aboard the boat were 12 campaigners, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.

The activists were eventually detained and expelled by Israel.

The Handala was intercepted about 50 kilometres from the Egyptian coast and 100 kilometres west of Gaza, according to an online tracking software.