Israel’s military has intercepted an aid ship named Handala that was en route to Gaza from Italy. The vessel was carrying food and essential supplies for Palestinians and had 21 people on board, including international activists. All passengers have been taken into custody by Israeli forces.
The ship was part of the Freedom Flotilla, a peaceful mission aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. According to the organizers, Israeli forces stopped the ship in international waters, approximately 40 nautical miles from Gaza. The crew reported that Israeli forces disabled the ship’s cameras and communication systems. A live-streamed video showed Israeli soldiers forcibly boarding the vessel just before the transmission was cut.
Emma Fourreau, a member of the European Parliament representing France and Sweden, was among those on board and confirmed the military’s presence moments before the ship was seized.
Israel Resumes Airdrops and Opens Aid Routes to Gaza
Simultaneously, Israel announced the resumption of airdropped food aid into Gaza. The supplies include flour, sugar, and canned goods, delivered with the assistance of international organizations.
In addition, aid trucks from Egypt have begun entering Gaza after being delayed for months. These convoys are transporting urgently needed food and medical supplies to civilians impacted by the ongoing conflict.
Israel also stated that it will allow United Nations vehicles to use designated “humanitarian corridors” and will implement temporary pauses in fighting in specific areas to ensure safe delivery of aid. These “humanitarian pauses” are intended to give civilians access to food, water, and medical care.
Severe Hunger Crisis in Gaza
Despite these efforts, international aid agencies warn that hunger in Gaza is worsening. Many families are facing severe food shortages. According to Gaza health officials, more than 120 people — including many children — have died from malnutrition.
The current war began in October 2023 after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israeli towns, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking several hostages. In response, Israel initiated a large-scale military operation in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of nearly 60,000 people, according to local health authorities.
Israel denies the existence of starvation in Gaza, asserting that it has allowed sufficient food into the region. The government blames the United Nations for distribution failures, while the UN claims that Israeli restrictions have severely hampered their aid operations.
Additionally, Israel announced the connection of a power line to a water plant in Gaza, which is expected to provide clean water to approximately 900,000 people daily.
