Two Australians were among those on board a Gaza-bound civilian aid ship that was seized by Israeli forces earlier today (local time).
The Handala flotilla was said to be carrying activists and aid in the form of baby formula, diapers, food and medicine to be delivered to Palestinians in Gaza, as the region continues to grapple with a widespread hunger crisis.
According to reports, the ship was intercepted by Israeli forces within 70 nautical miles of its intended destination, with a YouTube livestream of the voyage showing armed personnel boarding the ship as passengers held their hands in the air in surrender.
The livestream ended shortly after a helmeted personnel appeared to move the camera away from the deck.
Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed in a statement on X that its navy had “stopped the vessel” from “entering the maritime zone of the coast of Gaza”.
“The vessel is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. All passengers are safe,” the post read.
Meanwhile, Freedom Flotilla — the coalition behind the fleet — said in a statement that Handala was “violently intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters”.
“The interception occurred in international waters outside Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, in violation of international maritime law,” the statement read.
There were 21 civilians from 12 countries on board the flotilla, including journalist and activist Tania Safi and human rights activist Robert Martin.
Hours before the interception, Safi said in a statement to CNN that “everyone here has prepared for almost every possible scenario that Israel could put us through”.
“If they intercept us, it would be a violation of international maritime law.”
In a pre-recorded message shared after the interception, Safi called “for the release of everyone on board the Handala as soon as possible”.
It is the second seabound interception made by Israeli forces in as many months, with the Madleen, also operated by Freedom Flotilla, likewise being seized with Greta Thunberg among its passengers.
According to Al-Jazeera, the fate of the passengers on board Handala is not yet known, but a spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware two Australians were on the vessel and was liaising with authorities.
“Consular officers stand ready to offer assistance to affected Australians,” the spokesperson said, per The Guardian.
This story is developing.
Lead image: Freedom Flotilla Coalition/ Instagram
The post Two Aussies Were On Board The Gaza-Bound Handala Aid Ship Seized By Israeli Forces appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
