What does the (new) case of the humanitarian ship Handala, blocked on its way to Gaza, tell us?

Another Freedom Flotilla vessel has been stopped in international waters by the IDF . Following the case of the Madleen, which was carrying Greta Thunberg , among others, and was intercepted on June 10 while attempting to reach Gaza, the Handala 's journey was also stopped by the Israeli military. Its civilian crew was transferred to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The Freedom Flotilla itself reported this, denouncing the detention as an illegal action and accusing Israel of forcibly "seizing" the vessel. The Handala was headed for the Gaza Strip with the symbolic intent of delivering humanitarian aid and challenging Israel's naval blockade .

According to reports, the Israeli navy cut off all radio contact with the vessel at 11:43 PM local time, after Israeli forces boarded and deactivated its recording devices. The Handala was engaged in the 37th Freedom Flotilla mission in its 18-year history and was approaching Gazan waters when the military operation began. Before the interruption, live footage broadcast on YouTube showed Israeli forces boarding the vessel and beginning the identification process. Twenty-one activists from ten different countries were on board. Among them were two French parliamentarians from La France Insoumise, Emma Fourreau (MEP) and Gabrielle Cathala, as well as two Italian activists : skipper Tony La Piccirella from Bari and Sicilian blogger Antonio Mazzeo.

The ship's detention was anticipated by the crew itself, who said they had prepared for interception by Israeli forces. "Everyone here has prepared for almost every possible scenario Israel could face," Australian activist Tania Safi told CNN on Saturday afternoon. "If they intercept us, it would be a violation of international maritime law ," Safi explained.

The activists announced their intention to begin a collective hunger strike , denouncing not only Israel's actions and the humanitarian blockade of Gaza, but also the silence and inaction of international governments. In a message shared on social media, Handala accused the international community of abandoning the Palestinian people and failing to uphold international law, demanding that those responsible be held accountable.

The Italian opposition has called for government intervention, implicating Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that he had met with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sáar. The two Italian activists will reportedly receive assistance from staff at the Italian embassy in Tel Aviv. Israeli authorities have offered the activists two options: sign a declaration to leave the country immediately via the airport, or face forced repatriation within 72 hours. "One of the two has chosen to stay and be expelled, while the other appears to be intent on returning to Italy immediately with the assistance of our diplomats," Tajani told RaiNews24, reassuring the public about the health of the two Italians. "They are being monitored and are doing well. Our diplomats have been present since the early hours at the port of Ashdod and are in constant contact with them," he added, also confirming that he has been in contact with the mayor of Messina, the hometown of one of the activists.

The end of the Handala's journey to Gaza comes just over a month after another Freedom Flotilla vessel, the Madleen , was similarly intercepted while heading toward the enclave while also carrying humanitarian aid. Israeli authorities towed the vessel to the port of Ashdod, and all aboard were subsequently expelled from Israel. Earlier in May, the Conscience was attacked by Israeli drones, injuring four people and rendering the vessel unusable.