Latest news with #HuwaidaArraf
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Israeli forces storm Gaza-bound aid ship Handala in international waters
Israeli forces storm Gaza-bound aid ship Handala in international waters NewsFeed Israeli soldiers have raided the Freedom Flotilla ship, Handala, carrying aid for Gaza in international waters. The husband of onboard activist Huwaida Arraf, who urged Israeli forces to stand down, spoke to Al Jazeera while the ship was being seized. He explained their goal, motivated by the lessons of the Holocaust, is to alleviate the starvation of civilians. Video Duration 02 minutes 07 seconds 02:07 Video Duration 00 minutes 25 seconds 00:25 Video Duration 01 minutes 14 seconds 01:14 Video Duration 02 minutes 42 seconds 02:42 Video Duration 00 minutes 35 seconds 00:35 Video Duration 01 minutes 47 seconds 01:47 Video Duration 01 minutes 31 seconds 01:31
Al Jazeera
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Activist confronts Israeli Navy before soldiers raid Handala aid ship
Activist confronts Israeli Navy before soldiers raid Handala aid ship NewsFeed Moments before Israeli soldiers raided the Handala aid ship, activist Huwaida Arraf urged them to stand down. Speaking over radio, she denounced the Gaza blockade as a war crime, accused Israel of deliberately starving civilians, and explained the freedom flotilla carried only humanitarian supplies. Video Duration 02 minutes 42 seconds 02:42 Video Duration 00 minutes 35 seconds 00:35 Video Duration 01 minutes 47 seconds 01:47 Video Duration 01 minutes 31 seconds 01:31 Video Duration 01 minutes 40 seconds 01:40 Video Duration 02 minutes 57 seconds 02:57 Video Duration 03 minutes 36 seconds 03:36
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Israeli forces intercept Gaza-bound aid boat Handala in international waters, detain crew - War on Gaza
Israeli forces have intercepted and boarded the Handala aid ship in international waters en route to Gaza, detaining all 21 people on board, according to a livestream and a statement from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel was seized about 40 nautical miles off Gaza's coast. Livestream footage showed unarmed activists wearing life jackets with their arms raised as half a dozen Israeli soldiers approached. Communications from the ship were cut at 11:43 pm local time when onboard cameras were disabled. The Handala was carrying baby formula, diapers, food and medicine. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition described the cargo as life-saving aid for Gaza's 2.4 million residents, amid widespread famine and health system collapse caused by Israel's blockade. The passengers—journalists, parliamentarians, labour organisers, lawyers and other rights defenders from 12 countries—were detained and the cargo confiscated. Among those on board was French MEP Emma Fourreau, who posted on X: 'The Israeli army is here,' before confirming the crew would throw their phones into the sea. In a separate post, the Handala's crew said they would begin a hunger strike if detained. 'If the Israeli military attacks our vessel and prevents us from getting to Gaza, we will go on hunger strike immediately,' said Huwaida Arraf, a US-Palestinian lawyer and activist. 'We are not interested in receiving any food or water [from Israel] … and certainly not in the ways that they use it for propaganda, while at the same time they are starving to death Palestinian children,' she added. 'This is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction,' said Ann Wright, a member of the Freedom Flotilla's steering committee. 'These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.' The interception violated international maritime law. It marked the third time this year Israeli forces have stopped Freedom Flotilla vessels attempting to break Israel's blockade by delivering aid to Gaza by sea. In May, Israeli drones bombed the civilian aid ship Conscience in European waters, injuring four people. On 9 June, Israeli forces intercepted the Madleen in international waters and towed it to Ashdod. It carried 12 activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. The Handala departed from Sicily on 13 July to challenge what observers have described as a 'man-made famine' in Gaza. Israel imposed a total blockade on aid entering the territory on 2 March, as part of its war on Gaza, now entering its 22nd month. Over 100 humanitarian organisations have warned that 'mass starvation' is spreading across the territory. Most of those who have died from hunger are children. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israeli 'thugs' board Gaza-bound aid ship Handala in international waters
Israeli troops stormed the Gaza-bound Handala vessel in international waters on Saturday, halting its attempt to deliver aid to Palestinians in the besieged enclave. The raid was broadcast live by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, showing soldiers confronting unarmed passengers as they sat on deck with their hands raised, singing the anti-fascist anthem 'Bella Ciao'. The Handala, carrying 19 activists, including European MPs and two Al Jazeera journalists, was intercepted roughly 100 kilometres west of Gaza, and around 50 kilometres off Egypt's coast. Activists say the boat was carrying humanitarian supplies and attempting to break Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza. 'There is no threat from our side,' one crew member said during the broadcast, which was cut shortly after troops boarded the ship. A video released by the flotilla captured an exchange between Israeli forces and Palestinian-American human rights lawyer Huwaida Arraf. 'This is a civilian vessel,' she said. 'In international law, any blockade that deliberately starves a civilian population is a violation of international law.' New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters 'You are deliberately starving civilians and children before the eyes of the world,' she added, accusing Israel of violating its responsibilities under international humanitarian law. En direct, un acte de piraterie commis en eaux internationales par l'armée israélienne. L'équipage du Handala a été kidnappé illégalement. Exigez sa libération immédiate : @EmmanuelMacron @jnbarrot — Emma Fourreau (@emma_frr) July 26, 2025 French MEP Emma Fourreau, also on board, posted on X that Israeli ships had approached the vessel and that she and others planned to throw their phones into the sea. Al Jazeera Arabic later reported three Israeli naval vessels had moved in after a drone was spotted overhead. A livestream later showed at least six Israeli soldiers boarding the vessel. Those on board appeared calm, wearing life jackets and sitting with arms raised. Gaza famine: To be killed by an air strike is easier than watching your children starve Read More » Israeli officials had earlier stated their intent to enforce what they claim a 'legal maritime security blockade' on Gaza. The military has yet to issue an official statement on the operation. Among those detained were French MPs Fourreau and Gabrielle Cathala. Jean-Luc Melenchon, head of their party France Unbowed, denounced the storming by Israeli troops. "Netanyahu's thugs boarded Handala. They attack 21 unarmed people in territorial waters where they have no right. A kidnapping in which two French parliamentarians are victims," he posted on X. Melenchon demanded the French government take action. The Handala's crew had said in advance they would launch a hunger strike if detained. Gaza remains under siege, with aid agencies warning of mass starvation. The incident echoes a similar event on 9 June, when Israeli forces intercepted another Freedom Flotilla ship, the Madleen, which carried 12 activists including Greta Thunberg.
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Israeli forces intercept Handala aid boat in international waters, detain crew - War on Gaza
Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link: The vessel was seized about 40 nautical miles off Gaza's coast. Livestream footage showed unarmed activists wearing life jackets with their arms raised as half a dozen Israeli soldiers approached. Communications from the ship were cut at 11:43 pm local time when onboard cameras were disabled. The Handala was carrying baby formula, diapers, food and medicine. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition described the cargo as life-saving aid for Gaza's 2.4 million residents, amid widespread famine and health system collapse caused by Israel's blockade. The passengers—journalists, parliamentarians, labour organisers, lawyers and other rights defenders from 12 countries—were detained and the cargo confiscated. Among those on board was French MEP Emma Fourreau, who posted on X: 'The Israeli army is here,' before confirming the crew would throw their phones into the sea. In a separate post, the Handala's crew said they would begin a hunger strike if detained. 'If the Israeli military attacks our vessel and prevents us from getting to Gaza, we will go on hunger strike immediately,' said Huwaida Arraf, a US-Palestinian lawyer and activist. 'We are not interested in receiving any food or water [from Israel] … and certainly not in the ways that they use it for propaganda, while at the same time they are starving to death Palestinian children,' she added. 'This is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction,' said Ann Wright, a member of the Freedom Flotilla's steering committee. 'These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.' The interception violated international maritime law. It marked the third time this year Israeli forces have stopped Freedom Flotilla vessels attempting to break Israel's blockade by delivering aid to Gaza by sea. In May, Israeli drones bombed the civilian aid ship Conscience in European waters, injuring four people. On 9 June, Israeli forces intercepted the Madleen in international waters and towed it to Ashdod. It carried 12 activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. The Handala departed from Sicily on 13 July to challenge what observers have described as a 'man-made famine' in Gaza. Israel imposed a total blockade on aid entering the territory on 2 March, as part of its war on Gaza, now entering its 22nd month. Over 100 humanitarian organisations have warned that 'mass starvation' is spreading across the territory. Most of those who have died from hunger are children.
