By Kamal Yalwa | July 27, 2025
Gaza Strip – The Israeli military has intercepted and surrounded the Handala, a humanitarian aid ship en route to Gaza in an effort to break Israel’s blockade of the besieged enclave. The move comes as Israeli airstrikes intensified across Gaza, killing at least 71 Palestinians since dawn on Saturday—including 42 civilians reportedly attempting to access humanitarian aid.
Among those on board the Handala is a former member of the European Parliament from France, who confirmed via satellite link that the vessel had been blocked in international waters by Israeli naval forces.
The ship, bearing Palestinian flags and a banner reading “Handala”, had attracted global attention for its symbolic and direct challenge to Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian access to Gaza. Organizers said it was carrying medical supplies, food, and basic necessities intended for civilians suffering under what many international observers describe as a “man-made famine.”
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies continue to push back against Israeli claims that aid is being distributed effectively. The United Nations and other relief groups argue that access restrictions, targeted strikes near aid centers, and red tape are preventing life-saving supplies from reaching those in desperate need.
“This is not a logistics failure—it’s a deliberate policy choice,” said one UN official who requested anonymity for security reasons.
The rising death toll on Saturday follows weeks of escalating violence and worsening humanitarian conditions. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 200,000 people have been killed or wounded since the beginning of the conflict, with food insecurity now reaching catastrophic levels.
Despite mounting international pressure and growing outrage over civilian casualties, Israel continues to defend its operations, citing ongoing security threats from Hamas and other armed groups.
As of Saturday evening, the fate of the Handala and its crew remains uncertain.
