Ashdod (Israel), July 27 (LaPresse) – The crew of the Handala ship from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has arrived at the port of Ashdod after being detained by the Israeli army, which last night intercepted the vessel heading to Gaza with the intention of delivering humanitarian aid. The military boarded the ship and arrested the 21 people on board. The organization itself describes this as an "illegal kidnapping" by Israel.
According to our legal team, the civilian crew aboard the Handala arrived at Ashdod port following the illegal seizure in international waters by the Israeli occupation forces, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition reports. Representatives from diplomatic bodies and lawyers from Adalah are currently present and waiting to access the crew; however, access has not yet been granted.
The blockade of the Handala comes as Israel faces increasing international criticism over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, with growing concern over rising hunger in the Strip due to Israeli restrictions on aid.