Gaza aid ship braces for Israel's assault at sea as drones hover overhead
Crew members aboard an international aid ship carrying life-saving supplies for children in Gaza are preparing for the possibility of an Israeli military intervention as they approach the Palestinian territory.
The Handala vessel, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), set sail from the port of Gallipoli, Italy, on July 20 and is currently in international waters off the coast of Egypt, en route to Gaza, according to the organizers.
The coalition reported on Saturday that Israeli drones have been observed hovering above the Handala. In a statement posted on Telegram, the FFC indicated that at least 16 drones were detected, with some circling the vessel.
French National Assembly member Gabrielle Cathala, who is on board, shared on social media that the crew is “prepared for any potential intervention that may occur in the coming hours or tomorrow morning.”
“We are united in full solidarity and ready. Drones have started to appear. If Wi-Fi is interrupted, unexpected events may occur. Do not worry about us. Focus on the Palestinians. They are the ones suffering. The genocide they are facing is far worse than any danger we encounter here,” she wrote.
According to organizers, the vessel is now 90 nautical miles from Gaza’s shores, having passed the point where Israeli forces seized the Madleen—another Freedom Flotilla ship—before it could reach Gaza on June 9.
Israeli authorities threatened Saturday that they would seize Handala if the aid ship did not change course.
With a crew of 20, including European lawmakers, human rights activists, and journalists, the Handala aims to breach Israel’s blockade to deliver essential humanitarian supplies, including baby formula, food, and medicine.
Gaza authorities warned on Saturday that the Israeli blockade has severely depleted baby milk supplies, putting over 100,000 children under the age of two—including 40,000 infants—at risk of death within days.
Hospitals are reporting hundreds of severe malnutrition cases daily, yet they cannot respond, given the collapse of the healthcare system.
Israel's blockade imposes extensive restrictions on the entry of food, medicine, fuel, and aid into Gaza. Human rights organizations say that the blockade is a central element of Israel’s ongoing campaign of genocide in the Palestinian territory.
Israel is the ‘troublemaker’ in region, Saudi Prince Turki says
Netanyahu begs Trump for ‘more’ help for pardon amid corruption case
Yasser Abu Shabab’s destiny is inevitable fate of every traitor: Hamas
Niger accuses French nuclear giant Orano of ‘mass crimes’
Iran, Russia sign agreement to boost AI, cyber security cooperation
Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker: Talks under fire ‘unacceptable’
Video shows US killing shipwreck survivors in Caribbean strike, lawmakers say
Nematzadeh, Zeinali strike gold for Iran at U21 World Taekwondo Championships
Hezbollah chief: Lebanon faces ‘dangerous, expansionist’ Israeli aggression
Israeli reservist ends his life after participation in Gaza genocide
Israel is the ‘troublemaker’ in region, Saudi Prince Turki says
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
