Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By 21st Century Wire
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

HANDALA: Forcibly Removed from International Waters by Israel

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.



On the night of July 26-27, 2025, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition‘s vessel Handala was violently intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces about 100km west of Gaza. All 21 international crew members, including journalists and lawmakers, were detained. Adalah, a legal rights organisation, reported that Israeli naval ships towed the vessel to Ashdod, marking a significant breach of international law. The Hind Rajab Foundation filed a complaint under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 and the International Criminal Court Act 2001, urging UK authorities to investigate alleged war crimes committed by the Israeli Shayetet 13 naval commando unit, led by Vice Admiral David Saar Salama.

Yesterday, Adalah’s legal team met with 17 of the 21 detained activists at Ashdod Port or an Israeli police station, reporting that all are in stable condition. Israel is treating the volunteers’ custody as unlawful entry, despite their forcible removal from international waters. They face two options: agree to ‘voluntary deportation’ or remain in detention and face a tribunal regarding their deportation.

SOS videos from each of the Handala’s kidnapped crew members were released on The Freedom. Flotila portal. This is the SOS message from our friend, US National Frank Joseph Romano, a retired assistant tenured professor of international law and literature at the Université Paris Nanterre, which has filed with the ICC, on behalf of the people of Palestine, a complaint for war crimes. (Source: Freedom Flotilla Coalition/YouTube)

.
The complaint targets military and regime officials who may have facilitated the assault. The Hind Rajab Foundation demands their identification, interrogation, and prosecution under UK law if evidence supports it. At the time of the incident, the Handala was about 49 nautical miles off Gaza, carrying 21 unarmed civilians, including British humanitarian volunteer Chloé Fiona Ludden, French MEP Emma Fourreau, French National Assembly member Gabrielle Cathala, Jewish-American activist Jacob Berger, and various journalists, lawyers, and aid workers. All passengers were unlawfully detained and taken to Israel, with their humanitarian cargo, including baby formula and medical supplies, seized. Communication was cut off after Israeli forces boarded. As a British-flagged vessel, the Handala falls under UK jurisdiction, making the seizure and arrest in international waters a violation of British law. This act breaches the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Fourth Geneva Convention, undermining International Court of Justice orders for unhindered humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. The Hind Rajab Foundation calls on UK authorities to investigate the operation and interrogate all 21 individuals on board, particularly British nationals.

Among the 21 crew members of the Handala, these are the names of the individuals who are still detained by Israel.  Huwaida Arraf and Bob Suberi, two US crew members of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla humanitarian vessel Handala, were released yesterday.

• Braedon Peluso (US),
• Robert Martin (Australia),
• Tania “Tan” Safi (Australia),
• Justine Kempf (France),
• Emma Fourreau (France-Sweden),
• Antonio La Picirella (Italy) (due to depart today)
• Christian Smalls (US),
• Chloé Fiona Ludden (UK-France),
• Sergio Toribio Sanchez (Spain),
• Vigdis Bjorvand (Norway),
• Hatem Aouini (Tunisia),
• Santiago González Vallejo (Spain)

Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, who was detained in Israel with other members of the Madleen, posted a video on X of the moment the Israeli occupation forces illegally intercepted the Handala in international waters.

The Handala case illustrates a broader initiative to criminalise humanitarian aid and stifle civilian support for Gaza under military pretexts. The Handala attack is nothing short of an assault on aid workers, civilians, international law, human dignity, and accountability…


IMAGE: Handala’ arriving at the port of Malmö, Sweden, on May 8, 2024.(Source: Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP, file)

Hind Rajab Foundation reports on Israeli Assault on Freedom Flotilla Coalition vessel, Handala…

HRF Files Criminal Complaint in the UK Over Israeli Attack on Handala

The Hind Rajab Foundation has today (28 July) filed a formal criminal complaint with the UK Metropolitan Police War Crimes Unit regarding the Israeli military assault on the British-flagged humanitarian vessel Handala in international waters on the night of 26–27 July 2025

The complaint, lodged under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 and the International Criminal Court Act 2001, urges UK authorities to open an immediate investigation into grave breaches of international law and war crimes committed by Israeli forces.

The assault was carried out by the Shayetet 13 naval commando unit, under the command structure of the Israeli Navy, whose Commander-in-Chief is Vice Admiral David Saar Salama. The complaint also targets officials within the Israeli military and government who may have authorised, planned, or facilitated the operation. The Hind Rajab Foundation is calling for these individuals to be identified, investigated, and—where evidence permits—prosecuted or arrested under UK jurisdiction.

At the time of the raid, the Handala was sailing approximately 49 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza, carrying 21 unarmed civilians, including:

  • Chloé Fiona Ludden, a British humanitarian volunteer
  • Emma Fourreau, Member of the European Parliament (France)
  • Gabrielle Cathala, Member of the French National Assembly
  • Jacob Berger, a Jewish-American activist
  • Journalists, lawyers, and aid workers from 12 countries

All were detained without legal basis and forcibly taken to Israel.

The ship’s humanitarian cargo—baby formula, medical supplies, and food—was confiscated, and communications were cut immediately after Israeli forces boarded the vessel.

The Handala is a British-flagged vessel, and as such, constitutes an extension of UK sovereign jurisdiction. The seizure of the ship and arrest of its passengers in international waters constitutes an assault on British legal territory, a violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention. It also directly defies the binding orders of the International Court of Justice, issued in early 2024, which require the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The Hind Rajab Foundation is requesting the following from UK authorities:

  1. Immediate opening of a criminal investigation into the operation;
  2. Identification and questioning of all 21 passengers, especially UK nationals;
  3. Legal action against Vice Admiral David Saar Salama, Shayetet 13 commanders, and any political or military officials responsible;
  4. Placement of suspects on watchlists and preparation of arrest warrants for anyone who may enter the UK;
  5. Coordination with Interpol, the International Criminal Court, and UN mechanisms to ensure international accountability.

This case follows the pattern of previous illegal interceptions, including the recent attack on the Madleen and the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid. The Handala incident is not isolated—it is part of a systematic campaign to criminalise humanitarian aid and suppress civilian solidarity with Gaza under the guise of military enforcement.

The Hind Rajab Foundation will not relent.

We are committed to exposing and confronting every act of illegality and brutality carried out under the cloak of state power. The attack on the Handala is an attack not only on aid workers and civilians, but on international law, human dignity, and the very principle of accountability.

Justice must be done. The perpetrators must face consequences.

See more news from The Hind Rajab Foundation

READ MORE PALESTINE NEWS AT: 21st CENTURY WIRE PALESTINE FILES

SUPPORT OUR INDEPENDENT MEDIA PLATFORM – BECOME A MEMBER @21WIRE.TV

VISIT OUR TELEGRAM CHANNEL

21st Century Wire is an alternative news agency designed to enlighten, inform and educate readers about world events which are not always covered in the mainstream media.


Source: https://21stcenturywire.com/2025/07/29/handala-forcibly-removed-from-international-waters-by-israel/


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

Comments

Your Comments
Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

MOST RECENT
Load more ...

SignUp

Login

Newsletter

Email this story
Email this story

If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.