Israeli Forces Raid 'Hanztala' Ship Headed to Gaza and Arrest Activists

In a dramatic development, Israeli forces raided the 'Hanztala' ship belonging to the 'Freedom Flotilla' alliance early Sunday morning, which was en route to Gaza, according to a live broadcast from aboard the ship.

The broadcast showed activists sitting on the ship's deck, raising their hands and chanting the anti-fascist Italian song 'Bella Ciao,' while Israeli soldiers took control of the ship before the broadcast suddenly cut off.

The 'Freedom Flotilla' alliance stated in a social media post that Israeli forces illegally intercepted the ship while it was in international waters.

According to an online tracking tool, the ship was about 50 kilometers from the Egyptian coast and 100 kilometers west of Gaza when it was intercepted.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that the 'Hanztala' ship is now heading towards Israeli shores, confirming the safety of all 21 passengers, activists who set sail from Italy on July 13, temporarily stopped at the port of Galipoli due to technical issues before resuming the journey on July 20.

This move comes amid the ongoing blockade of Gaza, which has been facing a severe humanitarian crisis and famine since the escalation of the conflict in October 2023.

It is worth noting that the Israeli army previously intercepted the 'Madelin' ship belonging to the same alliance in June last year, arresting 12 international activists on board.