July 2025 Gaza Freedom Flotilla

For the earlier Madleen mission, see June 2025 Gaza Freedom Flotilla. For other uses, see Gaza Freedom Flotilla (disambiguation).

Blockade of the
Gaza Strip
Crossings
2004–2009
2010 Freedom Flotilla
2011–2022
2023–present
Groups involved

The July 2025 Gaza Freedom Flotilla was a civilian maritime mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. The ship Handala departed from Syracuse, Italy, on 13 July 2025, carrying a diverse group of activists, medics, lawyers, journalists, and humanitarian supplies.[1][2][3][4] It made a stop in Gallipoli between 15 and 20 July, before heading to Gaza.[5][6] Its entry in the Gaza territorial waters, initially estimated between 27 and 28 July,[7] was expected for the early hours of 27 July.[8] Israel boarded and seized the ship in international waters in the late hours of 26 July, before it could reach its destination, and arrested the members of the crew.

Background

Further information: Freedom Flotilla Coalition, May 2025 drone attack on Gaza Freedom Flotilla, and June 2025 Gaza Freedom Flotilla

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is an international network of grassroots organizations that has organized multiple missions to Gaza since 2010, aiming to break the Israeli blockade and draw global attention to the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.[3] The July 2025 mission follows the interception of the coalition's previous vessel, Madleen, by Israeli forces in June 2025, during which volunteers including a member of the European Parliament and journalists were detained and deported.[2][3]

After the October 7 attacks and during the ensuing Gaza war, Israel intensified its blockade on the Gaza Strip, labeling it as a total blockade denying the entry of food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity,[9] causing high risk of famine and a humanitarian crisis that scholars have described as genocide.[10] Due to Israeli checkpoints into Gaza which predate the October 7 attacks, the Israeli government and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have controlled the entrance of humanitarian aid into Gaza, with aid delivery disrupted multiple times over the years, either via Israeli government blockades or Israeli civilian protests.[11] Additionally, since March 2, 2025, very little humanitarian aid has been allowed into Gaza, with concerns about famine in Gaza being raised by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).[12][13] Israel has announced that any action that leads to breaking the siege of Gaza will be met with failure.[14]

For this mission the Freedom Flotilla Coalition is using the 20m long former Norwegian trawler[15] Navaren/Navarn, MMSI 232061752,[16] renamed as Handala[17] after the iconic cartoon character created by Naji al-Ali, symbolizing Palestinian resistance and the right of return for Palestinan refugees.[2][3][18][19]

Mission and objectives

The Handala mission had the three primary objectives of breaking the blockade by sailing directly to Gaza in defiance of the Israeli naval blockade, which has been in place since 2007; of delivering aid such as food, medicine, and other humanitarian supplies to Gaza's besieged population; and of showing solidarity by amplifying the voices of Palestinians and highlight the role of international actors in sustaining or challenging the blockade.[2][3][20]

The FFC stated: "We are not governments. We are people, taking action where institutions have failed. This mission is for the children of Gaza."[3]

Participants and support

On board the Handala were 21 members from multiple countries, including volunteer medics and health professionals, lawyers and human rights advocates, journalists and media workers, and social justice activists and community organizers.[3]

Key:

  Accompanied the crew in the Syracuse–Gallipoli leg
Participant Country Occupation Previous related activity Refs.
Vigdis Bjorvand  Norway
  • Cook
  • activist
[22][23][24][25][26]
Yazan Eissa
  •  Palestine
  •  Romania
 Handyman Madleen (June 2025) [15][23]
Sergio Toribio Sánchez  Spain
  • Maritime engineer
  • activist
 [22][25][26]
Hatem Aouini  Tunisia
  • Trade unionist
  • teacher
 Soumoud Convoy (2025)
Tania "Tan" Safi  Australia
  • Journalist
  • filmmaker
 2024 attempt
Braedon Peluso  USA Mariner
Bob Suberi
  •  USA
  •  Israel
 Activist Handala (2023)[nb 1] [22][23][25][26]
Robert Martin  Australia Freedom Flotilla III (2015) [22][25][26]
Caoimhe Butterly  Ireland 2010 mission [27]
Huwaida Arraf
  •  USA
  •  Israel
  • Activist
  • lawyer
 [22][25][26]
Christian "Chris" Smalls  USA Labor organizer
Jacob Berger
  • Actor
  • activist
 [19][22][25][26]
Gabrielle Cathala  France MP [22][25][26]
Emma Fourreau MEP
Justine Kempf Nurse with MSF and Médecins du Monde
Ange Sahuquet
  • Engineer
  • activist
Santiago González Vallejo  Spain
  • Economist
  • trade unionist
Waad Aal Musa
  •  Iraq
  •  USA
 Al Jazeera journalist [22][25][26]
Mohamed El Bakkali  Morocco
Frank Romano
  •  France
  •  USA
  • Lawyer
  • academic
  • actor
 [22][23][25][26]
Chloé Fiona Ludden
  •  France
  •  UK
  • Scientist
  • former UN staffer
 [22][25][26]
Mohammed Mustafa
  •  Australia
  •  UK
 Medical doctor who volunteered in Gaza [19][27]
Yipeng Ge
  •  China
  •  Canada
 [27][28]
Antonio "Tony" La Piccirella  Italy
  • Mariner
  • activist
 [22][25][26]
Antonio Mazzeo
  • Teacher
  • journalist

The mission is supported by a coalition of NGOs, trade unions, and advocacy groups, and has received endorsements from prominent international figures and organizations.[3]

Alleged sabotage and early voyage

On 20 July 2025, the day of the vessel's departure from Gallipoli, the crew denounced what they described as two possible acts of "sabotage" which had occurred before they set sail: one was a rope that had been tied to the propeller; the other was the contents of a truck that was meant to transport freshwater for the boat's kitchen but was labeled "sulfuric acid", with two members sustaining burns upon coming into contact with the substance.[29][30][31]

The Handala departed from the Italian harbour of Gallipoli at 11:43 on 20 July 2025.[32] On 23 July, the 'Handala tracker' on the FFC's official website showed the boat proceeding east, off the south coast of Crete.[7][33]

On the evening of 24 July, the FFC announced that all communications with the Handala had been jammed, and that drones had been noticed nearby;[34][35] contact was reestablished about two hours later.[36]

Israeli interception, boarding, and detention of passengers

On 26 July 2025, after breaking past the point where the Madleen had been intercepted, the Handala crew reported that an Israeli IAI Heron drone was circling the boat.[37] Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israel intended to send the Shayetet 13 naval commando to seize the ship unless it changed course;[38] at 20:46, the crew, believing two approaching unidentified vessels to be from the Israeli Navy, therefore decided to deviate parallel to Egyptian territorial waters, planning to request entry from the Egyptian Coast Guard in case of emergency.[39] They asked permission to enter Al-Arish as Israeli vessels approached,[40] but were boarded by Israel shortly after in international waters.[41][42] The IDF proceeded to seize the ship, towing it to the Port of Ashdod, and detain the activists, vowing to deport them to their respective countries.[43] Earlier that week, amid Israeli threats to intercept the vessel, the crew had announced they would go on a hunger strike in case of arrest, in solidarity with starved and besieged Palestinians in Gaza,[42][44] and had requested protection from their respective governments;[35] Australians Tan Safi and Robert Martin additionally cited their country's complicity with Israel, calling for an arms embargo and a stop to "protecting Israel from any accountability."[45]

After being repeatedly denied access by Israeli authorities,[46] the group's legal team, Adalah, was ultimately allowed to meet the activists and provide them with legal assistance and consultation. Gabrielle Cathala, Jacob Berger and Antonio Mazzeo agreed to sign deportation papers and were immediately expelled,[47][48][49] while Bob Suberi and Huwaida Arraf, both holding Israeli citizenship, were released upon interrogation. Another twelve activists refused deportation and remained in Israeli custody pending legal hearings.[47][49] On 27 July, the remaining four had not yet met with the legal team. According to Adalah, Israel, despite intentionally towing the group out of international waters, was accusing them of illegal entry, and had given them no choice other than "voluntary deportation" or being tried before a tribunal.[49][50]

On 28 July, the two journalists of the crew (Waad All Musa and Mohamed El Bakkali) were set for deportation[50] and were repatriated by the following day.[51] The other sixteen activists remained held in Givon Prison, Ramla, a facility with a recorded history of human rights abuses,[52] where they appeared before court that day. The court upheld their detention until expulsion, with most of them going on a hunger strike. The detainees described mistreatment in the Israeli prison, including physical assaults from the IDF, poor hygienic conditions and lack of ventilation;[50][53][54] in particular, Chris Smalls was reportedly choked and kicked in his legs by seven police officers.[54][55]

On 29 July, Robert Martin and Tan Safi were repatriated via Jordan,[50] while another five activists (Ange Sahuquet, Emma Fourreau, Chloé Fiona Ludden and Justine Kempf and Antonio La Piccirella) had been transferred to the airport awaiting deportation.[50][56] Adalah reported harsh conditions in Givon prison, including overcrowded rooms infested with bedbugs, denial of hygiene supplies, and lack of access to fresh air, as well as solitary cells for Frank Romano, who appealed the decision to deport him, and 70-year-old Vigdis Bjorvand. On 31 July, the last two activists to be deported, via Jordan, were Smalls and Hatem Aouini; the others were expelled the previous day.[50][57][58]

Reactions

The FFC denounced the Israeli aggression as "a grave violation of international law" in defiance of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s binding orders on the facilitation of humanitarian access to Gaza. Ann Wright, part of the FFC's steering committee, stressed that Israel had "no legal authority to detain international civilians aboard the Handala," who were operating "under international law in international waters."[42]

The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Israeli chargé d'affaires in Madrid, Dan Poraz, to protest the illegal detention of its citizens Sergio Toribio and Santiago González, as had happened the previous month over the Madleen incident.[59] US activist Braedon Peluso said that his country's embassy, had not inquired or visited despite repeated calls from American detainees.[57]

The Belgium-based legal group Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) filed a criminal case with the war crimes unit of the UK Metropolitan Police over the interception of the Handala, a British-flagged vessel, the confiscation of the aid and the arrest of the passengers. The HRF urged coordination with Interpol, the UN and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order to prosecute Vice Admiral David Saar Salama (commander-in-chief of the Israeli Navy) and other officials for violating British sovereignty, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Fourth Geneva Convention, as well as challenging the aforementioned binding orders of the ICJ.[60]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Previous voyages by the FFC's Handala include awareness-raising events in 2023 and 2024.[21]

References

  1. ^ "Freedom Flotilla Sails Again to Gaza". Republic Palestine. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "Freedom Flotilla to sail for Gaza again on July 13". Dawn. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Freedom Flotilla to Dispatch 'Handala' Ship to Gaza Next Week". MINA News. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  4. ^ Brown, Fiona (7 July 2025). "Freedom Flotilla Coalition to launch new aid ship to Gaza". The National. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  5. ^ Chironi, Andrea (15 July 2025). "Da Gallipoli a Gaza, la nave Handala sfida l'embargo sugli aiuti" [From Gallipoli to Gaza, the Handala ship defies the aid embargo]. Quotidiano di Puglia (in Italian). Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  6. ^ Freedom Flotilla Coalition [@gazafreedomflotilla]; (19 July 2025). "After some final technical preparations, the Freedom Flotilla vessel 'Handala' will sail on Sunday July 20 from Gallipoli, Italy, to break the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza". Retrieved 19 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  7. ^ Ge, Yipeng [@yipengge] (26 July 2025). "With the Handala freedom flotilla travelling at its current speed, in less than 10 hours the boat will arrive on the shores of Gaza. May Handala have safe passage and arrival to Gaza" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 July 2025 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Abu Alouf, Rushdi; Slow, Oliver (9 October 2023). "Gaza 'soon without fuel, medicine and food' - Israel authorities". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  9. ^ Asem, Sondos. "Top genocide scholars unanimous that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza: Dutch investigation". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  10. ^ Baruch, Hezki. "מאות ניסו למנוע סיוע לעזה וחסמו את נמל אשדוד" [Hundreds tried to halt aid to Gaza and blocked the port of Ashdod]. Arutz Sheva (in Hebrew). Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  11. ^ "Gaza population faces critical risk of famine, global hunger monitor says". Reuters. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  12. ^ Shih, Gerry; Brown, Cate; Parker, Claire; DeYoung, Karen (23 May 2025). "Sweeping overhaul of Gaza aid raises questions of morality and workability". Washington Post.
  13. ^ Yoon, John; Kershner, Isabel (10 June 2025). "Israel Says Gaza Aid Boat Passengers Are Being Deported". New York Times.
  14. ^ a b "New Gaza-bound aid boat leaves Italy". Gulf Today. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  15. ^ "NAVARN, Pleasure craft - Details and current position - MMSI 232061752". Vessel Finder. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Gaza-Israel War – Gaza Freedom Flotilla ship NAVAREN at Malta – August 2024 - Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos". Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  17. ^ "Σαλπάρει το «Handala» για τη Γάζα: Νέα αποστολή του Freedom Flotilla - «Αυτή η αποστολή είναι αφιερωμένη στα παιδιά της Γάζας»" ["Handala" sets sail for Gaza: New mission of the Freedom Flotilla – "This mission is dedicated to the children of Gaza"]. To Kouti tis Pandoras (in Greek). 7 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  18. ^ a b c "Meaning behind Handala: Why new flotilla carries Palestine's icon of defiance". Türkiye Today. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Freedom Flotilla Ship Will Attempt to Break Israeli Blockade of Gaza". The Libertarian Institute. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  20. ^ "FFC Frequently Asked Questions". Freedom Flotilla Coalition. Retrieved 21 July 2025. In 2023 and 2024 Handala visited various European ports in raising awareness of the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza, as part of our For the Children of Gaza mission.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "2025 Handala Participants". Freedom Flotilla Coalition. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  22. ^ a b c d Ávila, Thiago [@thiagoavilabrasil]; (10 July 2025). "Almost one year since we had to stop our mission due to a mechanical failure on the engine of the Handala it's finally out of port again to continue its journey to Gaza to break the Siege and create a humanitarian sea corridor!". Retrieved 10 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  23. ^ "Handala seiler igjen for å bryte blokaden - for barna i Gaza" [Handala sails again to break the blockade - for the children of Gaza.]. Ship to Gaza Norway (in Norwegian). 7 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Freedom Flotilla Coalition [@gazafreedomflotilla]; (21 July 2025). "'Handala' left Italy yesterday and is now in international waters. This action is for the children of Gaza. The boat is carrying as much baby formula, food, and medicine as possible, but its aim is to end the need for aid by breaking Israel's illegal siege. Keep your eyes on our team, and demand their governments uphold international law by ensuring safe passage". Retrieved 21 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Wright, Ann (20 July 2025). "Flotilla Ship Heads Towards Gaza With 7 U.S. Nationals". Consortium News. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  26. ^ a b c Butterly, Caoimhe [@caoimhebutterly]; (14 July 2025). "With brave, profoundly committed medics @beastfromthe_middleeast & @yipeng.ge & their prosthetic limb, en route to Gallipoli, then Gaza". Retrieved 14 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  27. ^ Bond, Meredith (17 July 2025). "Canadian physician says activists on board 'Handala' persistent on breaking Israel's Gaza siege". CityNews Ottawa. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  28. ^ "FFC's Handala Launches from Gallipoli, Begins Final Leg of Its Journey to Break the Blockade — For the Children of Gaza". Freedom Flotilla Coalition. 20 July 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  29. ^ "Suspected sabotage, chemical attack hours before 'Handala' departure to Gaza". Roya News. 20 July 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  30. ^ Bouhot, Florian (20 July 2025). "Flottille pour Gaza : le collectif dénonce des « tentatives de sabotage » du Handala avant son départ" [Gaza Flotilla: the collective denounces "attempts to sabotage" Handala before its departure]. Le Parisien (in French). Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  31. ^ "NAVARN Pleasure Craft MMSI: 232061752". MarineTraffic. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  32. ^ "Handala Tracker". Freedom Flotilla Coalition. Archived from the original on 24 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  33. ^ Freedom Flotilla Coalition [@gazafreedomflotilla]; (24 July 2025). "URGENT: We lost all contact with the Handala crew". Retrieved 24 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  34. ^ a b "Contact Lost with Gaza-Bound Ship Handala as Israeli Drones Circle". The Palestine Chronicle. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  35. ^ "Communication restored: 'Handala' ship resumes Gaza mission". Türkiye Today. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  36. ^ Freedom Flotilla Coalition [@gazafreedomflotilla]; (26 July 2025). "RED ALERT An Israeli Heron drone is actively circling the Handala". Retrieved 26 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  37. ^ "Handala Approaches Gaza Waters, Faces Possible Israeli Raid". The Palestine Chronicle. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  38. ^ "Handala Alters Course Amid Threat". Freedom Flotilla Coalition. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  39. ^ Wear the Peace [@wearthepeace]; (26 July 2025). "Members of the Handala Freedom Flotilla crew ask for permission to enter Egyptian waters at Al-Arish Port due to on-going threats from the IOF". Retrieved 26 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  40. ^ Kestler-D'Amours, Jillian; Quillen, Stephen (26 July 2025). "LIVE: Israeli army intercepts Gaza-bound ship Handala, attacks kill 71". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  41. ^ a b c "Israeli Military Attacks Handala in International Waters". Freedom Flotilla Coalition. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  42. ^ Dayan, Linda; Rozovsky, Liza (26 July 2025). "IDF Soldiers Seize Second Gaza Aid Flotilla, Detain Activists on Board". Haaretz. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  43. ^ Freedom Flotilla Coalition [@gazafreedomflotilla]; (24 July 2025). "The 'Handala' 21 officially announce a hunger strike if the Israeli military illegally intercepts the boat and abducts those aboard". Retrieved 24 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  44. ^ Freedom Flotilla Coalition [@gazafreedomflotilla]; (28 July 2025). "From less than 100 nautical miles off Gaza's coast, Tan and Robert launched a hunger strike aboard the Handala. They participated in this action because the Australian government is complicit in Israel's genocide and it's time to demanded accountability". Retrieved 28 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  45. ^ "Activist boat Handala seized off Gaza brought to Israel". France 24. 27 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  46. ^ a b "3 activists aboard Gaza flotilla agree to immediate deportation, says legal group". The Times of Israel. 27 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  47. ^ "Il caso Handala, 'Antonio Mazzeo espulso da Israele e in attesa del volo'" [The Handala case: "Antonio Mazzeo expelled from Israel and awaiting flight"]. Tempostretto (in Italian). 27 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  48. ^ a b c Freedom Flotilla Coalition [@gazafreedomflotilla]; (27 July 2025). "Adalah Update | 27 July 2025, 8 PM Jerusalem time". Retrieved 27 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  49. ^ a b c d e f "Freedom Flotilla Boat 'Handala' - All Updates". Adalah. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  50. ^ Kasraoui, Safaa (29 July 2025). "Handala Ship: Moroccan Journalist Mohamed El Bakkali Arrives in Morocco After Release". Morocco World News. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  51. ^ "Piraterie coloniale : un nouveau bateau humanitaire pour Gaza intercepté par Israël et son équipage kidnappé" [Colonial Piracy: Another Aid Ship to Gaza Intercepted by Israel and Its Crew Kidnapped]. Contre Attaque (in French). 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  52. ^ Fourreau, Emma [@emma_frr] (28 July 2025). "Les traitements infligés par Israël à l'équipage du Handala sont scandaleux" [Israel's treatment of the Handala crew is scandalous.] (Tweet) (in French). Retrieved 28 July 2025 – via Twitter.
  53. ^ a b "Handala: Activists refuse deportation in Israel hearings, several on hunger strike". The New Arab. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  54. ^ Freedom Flotilla Coalition [@gazafreedomflotilla]; (29 July 2025). "The Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirms that upon arrival in Israeli custody, U.S. human rights defender Chris Smalls was physically assaulted by seven uniformed individuals. They choked him and kicked him in the legs, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back". Retrieved 29 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  55. ^ "Freedom Flotilla, l'attivista barese La Piccirella verso il rimpatrio: sarà rilasciato dal carcere israeliano" [Freedom Flotilla, the Barese activist La Piccirella towards repatriation: he will be released from the Israeli prison]. La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno (in Italian). 29 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  56. ^ a b Wright, Ann (30 July 2025). "US Consular Officials from US Embassy-Israel Have NOT Visited US Citizens from Gaza Flotilla Who Have Been in Israeli Prison For Four Days". Antiwar.com. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  57. ^ Freedom Flotilla Coalition [@gazafreedomflotilla]; (31 July 2025). "The Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirms that two of our volunteers, Christian Smalls (United States) and Hatem Aouini (Tunisia), have been released from Givon Prison in occupied Palestine after being abducted in international waters during the Israeli military's violent attack on the Handala, a civilian aid vessel sailing to break the blockade on Palestinians in Gaza. They are now safely in Jordan, where they will board their flights home". Retrieved 31 July 2025 – via Instagram.
  58. ^ "España convoca al representante de Israel en Madrid por el arresto de dos españoles en el barco Handala" [Spain summons the representative of Israel in Madrid for the arrest of two Spaniards on the ship Handala]. RTVE (in European Spanish). 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  59. ^ "HRF Files Criminal Complaint in the UK Over Israeli Attack on Handala". Hind Rajab Foundation. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
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