‘Carrying baby system’: Israel intercepts food aid boat ‘Handala’ on its way to Gaza; ‘kidnaps’ 19 activists, 2 journalists

Israeli forces intercepted a vessel trying to breach the maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip on Saturday evening and escorted it to Ashdod Port. The boat, Handala, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), set sail from Sicily earlier this month, aiming to ship a small humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.Handala was carrying 19 activists together with two Al-Jazeera journalists and was intercepted round 50 km from the Egyptian coast and 100 km west of Gaza as per a web based monitoring instrument, reviews the Times of Israel.“Handala’ was illegally boarded by the Israeli military in international waters, around 40 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza,” mentioned the coalition via a submit on X.One FFC activist said in a social media submit that the boat was transporting baby system to Gaza.“The vessel is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. All passengers are safe,” mentioned Israel’s overseas ministry. “Unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.”FFC mentioned that Handala’s crew, comprising 19 activists and two journalists from international locations together with Australia, France, the UK, and the US, have been “kidnapped” by Israeli forces, reported BBC. The Navy towed the vessel to Ashdod Port, after which the activists had been scheduled for deportation.(*19*)Freedom Flotilla Coalition beforehand introduced it was altering course towards Egypt after Israeli Navy ships and a drone approached the vessel at sea.“At this time, the Handala does not intend to enter Egyptian waters but plans to sail parallel to the coastline. Should the threat from Israeli authorities escalate, the crew will attempt to contact the Egyptian Coast Guard to request emergency entry based on the threat to their lives,” the Coalition mentioned.A earlier FFC mission, which departed from Sicily intending to ship humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza, was additionally intercepted by Israeli authorities. The vessel, Madleen, carried 12 activists, together with Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.Greta Thunberg, in addition to 11 different volunteers, had been detained and their vessel, which carried baby system, food, and medical provides meant for civilians, was additionally seized in worldwide waters.The Israeli overseas ministry had dismissed Madleen as a publicity stunt, calling it a “selfie yacht.”Gaza is experiencing important shortages of food and important provides, with the United Nations and aid organizations warning that famine is imminent. Israeli authorities mentioned on Saturday that they airdropped humanitarian aid “as part of the ongoing efforts to allow and facilitate the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip,” reviews AFP. A complete of seven packages had been delivered, containing flour, sugar, and canned food as per the navy.