Israeli forces intercept pro-Palestine activists' ship bound for Gaza

The Israeli Navy intercepted a vessel operated by the pro-Palestine activist group Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) as it attempted to reach Gaza over the weekend.

The interception of the FFC vessel Handala occurred some 40 nautical miles off Gaza on the night (local time) of Saturday, July 26.

The vessel had earlier left Italy with 19 FFC activists, two journalists, and a reported cargo of relief aid.

FFC said that Handala's interception by Israeli forces was done "violently" and that the vessel later sailed to the Port of Ashdod with an Israeli Navy ship providing escort.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that the FFC vessel had been prevented from entering the Gaza maritime zone illegally and that it was later escorted to shore. The ministry also assured that all on board the vessel are safe.

The maritime zone around Gaza had been put in place by the Israeli Government as a means of preventing the smuggling of weapons for use by Palestinian terror group Hamas.

Saturday's interception is the second to be conducted by Israeli forces against an FFC vessel violating the naval blockade.

In June 2025, the FFC vessel Madleen was interdicted as it attempted to reach Gaza. The people who were on board the boat at the time included Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.