Israeli Navy Hijacks British-Flagged Gaza Aid Ship
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Israeli forces intercepted and hijacked a British-flagged humanitarian vessel en route to the Gaza Strip, intensifying global outrage over Tel Aviv’s blockade of the besieged Palestinian territory.
Israeli media reported on Saturday that naval forces seized the vessel, Handala, as it attempted to breach the Israeli-imposed siege on Gaza.
The ship had departed from Italy carrying 21 unarmed individuals, including lawmakers, medical workers, and aid volunteers.
According to the crew, an Israeli drone began hovering above the vessel shortly before Israeli navy ships approached.
The crew issued a distress signal after receiving no response from Israeli forces.
“We tried to contact the Israeli navy — but no response was received,” said Huwaida Araf, one of the passengers.
French Member of the European Parliament Emma Fourreau, also on board, confirmed the seizure: “The Israeli military is here.”
Footage shared online showed the crew wearing life jackets and raising their hands to prevent escalation.
“End the genocide,” Fourreau added, referencing Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza that began in October 2023.
Since then, the Israeli regime has tightened its siege, effectively halting entry of critical humanitarian aid.
The war and accompanying blockade, condemned by rights groups as the use of starvation as a weapon, have killed over 59,700 Palestinians — the majority women and children.
Handala was transporting aid including food, medicine, and baby formula.
Last month, Israeli forces seized another aid ship carrying 12 international activists.
In May, Israeli drones targeted a similar Gaza-bound mission that included Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
Observers say such actions reflect Israel’s willingness to use military force to block humanitarian relief, echoing the deadly 2010 raid on a Turkish aid flotilla bound for Gaza.
