Latest news with #FreedomFlotillaCoalition
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
New Gaza-bound aid boat leaves Italy
Several dozen people gathered to cheer the boat's departure with cries of 'Free Palestine'. (EPA Images pic) SYRACUSE : A Gaza-bound boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid left Sicily on Sunday, over a month after Israel detained and deported people aboard a previous vessel. The Handala, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left the port of Syracuse shortly after 12pm, an AFP journalist saw, carrying about fifteen activists. Several dozen people, some holding Palestinian flags and others wearing keffiyeh scarves, gathered at the port to cheer the boat's departure with cries of 'Free Palestine'. The former Norwegian trawler – loaded with medical supplies, food, children's equipment and medicine – will sail for about a week in the Mediterranean, covering roughly 1,800km, in the hope of reaching Gaza's coast. In early March, Israel imposed a total aid blockade on Gaza amid an impasse in truce negotiations, only partially easing restrictions in late May. The boat will make a stop at Gallipoli, in southeastern Italy, where two members of the hard-left France Unbowed party (LFI) are expected to join. The initiative comes six weeks after the departure of the Madleen, another ship that left Italy for Gaza transporting aid and activists, including Greta Thunberg. Israel authorities intercepted the Madleen about 185km west of Gaza's coast. 'This is a mission for the children in Gaza, to break the humanitarian blockade and to break the summer silence on the genocide,' said Gabrielle Cathala, one of the two France Unbowed party members set to board the boat on July 18. 'I hope we will reach Gaza but if not, it will be yet another violation of international law' by Israel, she added. The war was sparked by Hamas's Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel that led to 1,219 deaths, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Out of 251 people taken hostage that day, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 that the Israeli military says are dead. Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry says that at least 57,882 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel's military reprisals. The UN considers the figures reliable.
Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Aid ship bound for Gaza sabotaged in Italy before setting sail
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition says its vessel Handala, heading to Gaza with humanitarian aid, was sabotaged before it could leave the Italian port of Gallipoli. According to the group, a rope had been tightly wound around the ship's propeller and a corrosive substance was poured into the water tank, injuring two crew members. Despite the sabotage, Handala has now set sail towards Gaza, carrying a group of international activists and essential supplies including baby formula, medication, and toys. The journey is expected to last about a week. The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza condemned the incident and urged global powers to ensure the vessel's protection, warning against potential acts of 'Israeli piracy'. This mission comes six weeks after the Madleen made a similar journey, with high-profile figures including activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan on board.
Roya News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Freedom Flotilla Handala officially sets sail for Gaza
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced that its ship, Handala, has officially set sail for Gaza, marking what organizers describe as a mission of 'solidarity, resistance, and hope.' 'This is not an ordinary voyage — it is a collective act of solidarity, resistance, and hope,' the coalition said in a statement. 'As we prepare to set sail, we remain undeterred in our mission to break Israel's illegal and inhumane blockade on Gaza and to demand an end to the impunity that allows it to continue.' The group acknowledged the dangers of the journey but stressed the urgency of their mission. 'We know the risks. But we also know the urgency — Palestinians in Gaza cannot wait. We carry with us their voices, especially those of the children, and the voices of people around the world who demand justice.'
UAE Moments
6 days ago
- Politics
- UAE Moments
Everything to Know About the Handala Freedom Flotilla
The Handala, the latest vessel from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), set sail on July 13, 2025, from Syracuse, Italy. Its aim: to break the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza and bring much-needed humanitarian aid to its besieged population. What Is the Freedom Flotilla Coalition? Freedom Flotilla Coalition is a global activist network that was launched in 2010 to end Gaza's decades‑long blockade. The organization uses civilian-led sea missions carrying aid to spotlight the humanitarian crisis and challenge the blockade. Why 'Handala'? The ship is named after Handala, the iconic barefoot Palestinian cartoon character created by Naji al-Ali. He symbolizes defiance, resistance, and the ongoing Palestinian struggle for freedom and the right of return. Route & Timeline The ship departed on July 13 from Syracuse, Sicily and had a stopover in Gallipoli, southern Italy, on July 15. Who's On Board? Around 15 volunteers from diverse backgrounds, including medics, lawyers, journalists, community organizers, and activists, underscore the mission's grassroots and non-governmental nature. Mission Objectives Break the Naval Blockade: Sail directly into Gaza waters in defiance of restrictions since 2007. Deliver Humanitarian Aid: Carry food, medicine, and essential supplies to Gaza's civilians. Raise Global Awareness: Amplify Palestinian voices and reveal the human impact of the siege. Context & Momentum Handala follows June's intercept of the FFC's previous vessel, the Madleen, boarded in international waters while carrying activists, including Greta Thunberg and MEP Rima Hassan. Israeli forces seized the Madleen, citing security concerns, prompting international protests and symbolic activism. The Handala's voyage builds on this legacy of peaceful resistance and solidarity. What's at Stake? The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire: shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and electricity persist, with famine warnings looming . The Handala mission is both a direct challenge to the blockade and a humanitarian lifeline, shining a light on civilian suffering. Possible Outcomes Whether you support the idea of civilian aid missions or not, the Handala Freedom Flotilla is emblematic of non-state actors confronting geopolitical crises, underlining issues of humanitarian access, civilian rights, and international law.
Barnama
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Freedom Flotilla Coalition's Handala Ship Sets Sail For Gaza
KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 (Bernama) -- The Handala ship, owned by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and carrying humanitarian aid supplies, set sail for Gaza from the Port of Siracusa, Italy, on Sunday. In a statement on Monday, the Chief Executive Officer of Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE), Kamarul Zaman Shaharul Anwar, said that the Handala ship will sail to several countries in Northern Europe before continuing its journey to Gaza as part of the 'For the Children of Gaza' mission. 'The ship is carrying around 15 pro-Palestinian international activists as well as humanitarian aid supplies,' he said. bootstrap slideshow He added that the voyage is intended to show solidarity with the people of Gaza amid ongoing mass killings and a deepening humanitarian crisis. During its journey, the Handala ship is scheduled to stop in Gallipoli, southeastern Italy, and will be joined by two French members of parliament from the 'La France Insoumise' party on July 18. Kamarul Zaman said this voyage marks FFC's fourth attempt to break through the Israeli blockade. Previous attempts included the incident involving two Zionist military drones attacking the ship Conscience in Maltese waters in early May, as well as the detention of activists by Israeli forces on June 12 while they were aboard the ship Madleen en route to Gaza, he said. He stated that this mission is intended to protest the inhumane blockade imposed by the Israeli regime on the people of Gaza, which has prevented humanitarian aid from entering the conflict-stricken territory. This mission also highlights the ongoing violence and brutality of the Zionist regime in Gaza, he added.
