Gaza: An aid ship named Handala, aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, has reached approximately 97 nautical miles from Gaza's coast, as reported by a European lawmaker on Saturday. The vessel, which embarked from Italy, is transporting essential supplies such as baby formula, food, and medicine, all in accordance with international maritime and humanitarian laws. The ship is manned by 21 unarmed civilians, including lawmakers, medics, and volunteers.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, responsible for organizing the journey, is broadcasting the ship's progress live through its YouTube channel, offering real-time radar images. French Member of the European Parliament Emma Fourreau, who is on board the vessel, shared an update on X, stating they are now less than 180 kilometers from Gaza. Fourreau expressed a call for solidarity, mentioning that they had just passed the location where the Madleen was previously halted.
An Israeli Heron drone was sighted above the Gaza-bound aid ship on Saturday, raising concerns about a potential interception by Israeli forces. Gabrielle Cathala, a member of the French National Assembly aboard the vessel, described the atmosphere as tense, noting the appearance of drones. American activist Huwaida Arraf cautioned that the crew would initiate a hunger strike if Israeli forces attacked or obstructed their journey to Gaza.
The blockade on Gaza has led to multiple recent interceptions of aid ships by Israel in international waters. In June, Israeli forces seized the Madleen, detaining 12 international activists, including notable figures like Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and French Member of European Parliament Rima Hassan. A month prior, the MV Conscience faced a drone attack near Malta.
Since March 2, Israel has reneged on a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas, maintaining the closure of Gaza's crossings and leaving numerous aid trucks stranded at the borders. Gaza's Health Ministry reports that at least 127 people have died from starvation since October 2023, including 85 children. The World Food Program recently warned that one-third of Gaza's population had endured days without food due to the ongoing Israeli blockade.
Despite international demands for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has continued its offensive on Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in over 59,700 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children. The continuous bombardment has devastated the enclave, causing severe food shortages. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Furthermore, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its actions in the enclave.