Freedom Fleet Coalition's Handala Mission (2025)

Handala Mission of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (2025) is a civilian maritime mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and deliver humanitarian aid to the region. The mission was carried out aboard the vessel Handala, which departed from the Port of Syracuse in Sicily, Italy, on 13 July 2025. The ship’s name is derived from the character “Handala,” created by Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali and已成为 Palestinian resistance symbolism.

Handala vessel, 13 July 2025 - (Freedom Flotilla)

The Handala set sail from the Port of Syracuse, Italy, on 13 July 2025. On the night of 26 July 2025, the vessel was intercepted by the Israeli military approximately 40 nautical miles from the Gaza coast, in international waters. The 21-member civilian crew was detained and the ship was towed to the Port of Ashdod.

Vessel and Route

The Handala departed from the Port of Syracuse in the afternoon of 13 July 2025 and entered the Mediterranean Sea. Its initial route was not directly toward Gaza but instead included a brief stop at the Port of Gallipoli in Italy’s Puglia region. Gallipoli is recognized as a local administrative area that has severed diplomatic relations with the State of Israel. The Handala anchored briefly at Gallipoli on 15 July 2025, underwent technical inspections, and resumed its journey toward Gaza on 20 July 2025.

Handala vessel, 13 July 2025 - (Freedom Flotilla)

On the day the Handala set sail, numerous people gathered at the Port of Syracuse holding Palestinian flags and various visual symbols, bidding farewell to the vessel with chants of “Free Palestine.” No prior public information was provided regarding other planned stops along the route. The vessel carried a civilian crew of 21 individuals, including parliamentarians, journalists, healthcare workers, environmental advocates, and human rights activists. The humanitarian cargo included baby formula, diapers, food, and medical supplies.

People bidding farewell to the Handala vessel, 13 July 2025 - (Freedom Flotilla)

Thematic Framework of the Mission

The Handala mission derives its name from the character Handala, created by Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali. This character is depicted as a barefoot refugee child with his back turned and arms clasped behind him. The FFC explains that this symbolic posture represents a refusal to accept injustice. The vessel’s name and the mission’s central focus are directly linked to the crisis faced by children living in Gaza.

The Coalition notes that approximately half of Gaza’s population consists of children, who have endured over 17 years under blockade. Since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, weekly reports have documented hundreds of child fatalities, thousands of injuries, and widespread displacement, with many children left homeless or orphaned.

Israeli Military Intervention (26 July 2025)

On 26 July 2025 at 23:43 local Palestinian time, the ship Handala was intercepted by Israel approximately forty nautical miles off the coast of Gaza in international waters. During the intervention all communication systems on the vessel were disabled. Live footage briefly showed Israeli forces boarding the ship before the broadcast was completely halted. It has been reported that a distress call was sent by the crew during this time.

Images of the Israeli military intercepting the Handala ship, 26 July 2025 - (Freedom Flotilla)

In the operation carried out by Israeli forces all humanitarian cargo on board the ship was seized and the 21 civilian crew members were taken into custody. The Coalition has stated that the seized cargo did not contain weapons or any military characteristics.

Detained Participants

The 21 individuals detained during the intervention came from 12 different countries. They include members of parliament journalists lawyers union representatives and human rights defenders. The following names have been publicly disclosed:

• United States: Christian Smalls Huwaida Arraf Jacob Berger Bob Suberi Braedon Peluso Dr Frank Romano
• France: Emma Fourreau Gabrielle Cathala Justine Kempf Ange Sahuquet
• Italy: Antonio Mazzeo Antonio La Picirella
• Spain: Santiago González Vallejo Sergio Toribio
• Australia: Robert Martin Tania Safi
• Norway: Vigdis Bjorvand
• United Kingdom/France: Chloé Fiona Ludden
• Tunisia: Hatem Aouini
• Morocco: Mohamed El Bakkali (Al Jazeera)
• Iraq/United States: Waad Al Musa (Al Jazeera)

It has been reported that the civilian participants offered no resistance and were unarmed during the intervention.

Statements from the Gaza Media Office

In a statement issued on 27 July 2025 by the Gaza Media Office the Israeli operation against the Handala ship was described as "maritime piracy" and "open aggression". The statement emphasized that the incident violated international law and maritime regulations and that the ship was operating under a humanitarian mission aimed at breaking the blockade on Gaza.

The Gaza authorities held Israel responsible for the safety of the international participants on board the vessel. They also called on the United Nations and international human rights organizations to take immediate measures to protect humanitarian aid convoys.

Previous Interventions

The intervention against the Handala ship was the third such operation faced by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition in 2025. On 2 May 2025 the ship Conscience was attacked by drones off the coast of Malta resulting in four injuries and rendering the vessel inoperable. On 9 June 2025 the Israeli military seized the ship Madleen in international waters and detained the 12 civilians on board. The Handala ship became the third humanitarian vessel to be intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters following these operations.

Arrest Process and Subsequent Developments

Transfer of the Vessel to Ashdod Port and Initial Interrogations

On the night of 26 July 2025, the Handala vessel was stopped by the Israeli Navy approximately 40 nautical miles from the Gaza coast. On 27 July 2025, it was towed to Ashdod Port in southern Israel. The 21 civilian activists on board were handed over to Israeli police units for questioning. The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation KAN announced that following the interrogations, some activists would be subject to deportation procedures.

Diplomatic Efforts: Italy-Israel Talks

On 27 July 2025, a telephone conversation took place between Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. The discussion addressed the situation of the 21 activists on board the vessel, including two Italian citizens. The Israeli side stated that those in custody were offered two options: either sign a written document agreeing to be directly transported to an airport and repatriated to their home countries, or refuse to sign and face forced deportation within three days. Tajani also called for the reopening of humanitarian aid crossings to Gaza and an end to military attacks.

Conditions of Detention and Hunger Strike

According to statements issued by the Israeli legal center Adalah on 27 and 28 July 2025, the majority of the 21 detained activists began an indefinite hunger strike in protest against deportation. Fourteen of the activists, held at Givon Prison, were brought before a court on 28 July. During the hearings, the activists stated that their mission was humanitarian in nature and aimed at drawing attention to the blockade of Gaza.

Adalah reported that some activists suffered physical discomfort due to detention conditions. Female detainees told the court they were held in poorly ventilated environments with high temperatures and lacked access to hygiene products. U.S. citizen Christian Smalls stated in court that he and several female activists had been subjected to physical violence.

Allegations of Violence and Differential Treatment

In a statement issued on 29 July 2025 by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, it was reported that Chris Smalls, a U.S. labor rights advocate on board the vessel, was physically assaulted upon arrival at an Israeli prison by seven uniformed personnel. Bruises were observed on his neck and back, and it was reported that during his meeting with his lawyer, he was surrounded by six special police officers. The Coalition stated that the treatment applied to Smalls was not comparable to that experienced by other detainees.

Deported and Released Activists

According to information provided by Adalah as of 27 July 2025, three activists — Italian Antonio Mazzeo, French national Gabrielle Cathala, and U.S. citizen Jacob Berger — accepted deportation and were sent back to their countries the same day. The other activists refused to sign the deportation order and were brought into the judicial process. Two individuals with dual citizenship — Huwaida Arraf and Bob Suberi — were released after questioning and permitted to meet with Adalah’s legal team.

According to Adalah, contact has not yet been established with four individuals: French national Ange Sahuquet, U.S.-French dual citizen Dr. Frank Romano, Moroccan journalist Mohamed El Bakkali, and U.S.-Iraqi dual citizen cameraman Waad Al Musa. The legal center announced it is awaiting official permission to gain access to these individuals.