IDF seizes ship attempting to reach Gaza

Israel poised to deport activists after Israeli navy intercepts the Handala, the latest ship sent as part of the anti-Israel Gaza “flotilla.” 

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli naval personnel boarded and seized a vessel that attempted to run the security blockade of the Gaza Strip late Saturday night.

The British-flagged Navarn, a pleasure craft used by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition under the moniker “Handala” – referencing a 1969 Palestinian political caricature – departed from Gallipoli last Sunday, bound for the Gaza Strip.

At approximately 10:45 p.m. Saturday, the ship was intercepted by Israeli naval forces less than 70 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza.

Prior to the intercept, activists onboard the Navarn claimed two Israeli navy ships were approaching, with multiple drone aircraft spotted overhead.

Livestreamed video footage from the ship shows the 21 onboard the Navarn, including 19 activists and two journalists, wearing life preservers and sitting together on deck as Israeli soldiers approached them.

After the vessel was towed to the Israeli port city of Ashdod, the activists onboard were detained and now await deportation.

Two lawmakers, one from the French parliament and another from the European Union parliament, were among the 19 activists removed from the Navarn.

Four American citizens, including trade unionist Christian Small, were taken into custody during the seizure of the ship.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned the illegal entry into Gaza’s maritime zone as “dangerous,” warning it could “undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.”

“The Israeli navy has stopped the vessel Navarn from illegally entering the maritime zone off the coast of Gaza. The vessel is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. All passengers are safe.

“Unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.”

The voyage marks the latest attempt by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to run the Israeli security blockade on Gaza with a small vessel carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid.

Organizers claimed the Navarn was carrying “baby formula, diapers, food, and medicine.”

Last month, a similar attempt to run the blockade was foiled when the Madleen was boarded by Israeli forces.

The vessel, which was carrying a number of high-profile activists including climate change activist Greta Thunberg, was intercepted and all those onboard detained by Israel before being deported.