Israeli Military Attacks Handala in International Waters, Abducts 21 Unarmed Civilians
Dear comrades,
The Handala ship was seized by the Israeli army 40 nautical miles off the coast while on its mission to Gaza. The live stream has been interrupted. Please find below the press release from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC)
Please send your statements on the attack on Hatem Aouini, ICOR deputy Main Coordinator and all other activists. The Tunisian government has a responsibility to protect their citizen, Hatem Aouini, from Israeli or NATO interception of any kind while he sails to Gaza on board the 'Handala'. The vessel carries unarmed civilians and humanitarian cargo, incluing baby formula and other life-saving aid for Palestinions in Gaza. It poses no threat and is operating in full accordance with international maritime, humanitarian, and human rights law.
Tag and email the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs NOW:
Email: email.dct@diplomatie.gov.tn, dinf@diplomatie.gov.tn
X: @TunisieDiplo and @MohamedAiiNafti
Instagram: @tunisiediplo
Facebook: @TunisieDiplo
ICOR will continue to report on further developments.
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The Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirms that its civilian vessel Handala, en route to break Isarel’s illegal, genocidal blockade on Palestinians in Gaza, has been violently intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters about forty nautical miles from Gaza. At 11:43 Palestine time the Occupation cut the cameras on board Handala and we have lost all communication with our ship. The unarmed boat was carrying life-saving supplies when it was boarded by Israeli forces, its passengers abducted, and its cargo seized. The interception occurred in international waters outside Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, in violation of international maritime law.
Handala carried a shipment of critical humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, including baby formula, diapers, food, and medicine. All cargo was non-military, civilian, and intended for direct distribution to a population facing deliberate starvation and medical collapse under Israel’s illegal blockade.
The Handala carried 21 civilians representing 12 countries, including parliamentarians, lawyers, journalists, labor organizers, environmentalists, and other human rights defenders. The crew includes:
Human Rights Defenders Aboard Handala, by country:
United States: Christian Smalls – Amazon Labor Union founder; Huwaida Arraf – Human rights attorney (Palestine/US); Jacob Berger – Jewish-American activist; Bob Suberi – Jewish U.S. war veteran; Braedon Peluso – Sailor and direct action activist; Dr. Frank Romano – International lawyer and actor (France/US).
France: Emma Fourreau – MEP and activist (France/Sweden); Gabrielle Cathala – Parliamentarian and former humanitarian worker; Justine Kempf – Nurse, Médecins du Monde; Ange Sahuquet – Engineer and human rights activist.
Italy: Antonio Mazzeo – Teacher, peace researcher, journalist; Antonio “Tony” La Picirella – Climate and social justice organizer.
Spain: Santiago González Vallejo – Economist and activist; Sergio Toribio – Engineer and environmentalist.
Australia: Robert Martin – Human rights activist; Tania “Tan” Safi – Journalist and organizer of Lebanese descent.
Norway: Vigdis Bjorvand – 70-year-old lifelong justice activist.
United Kingdom / France: Chloé Fiona Ludden – Former UN staff and scientist.
Tunisia: Hatem Aouini – Trade unionist and internationalist activist.
Journalists Aboard Handala
Morocco: Mohamed El Bakkali – Senior journalist with Al Jazeera (based in Paris).
Iraq / United States: Waad Al Musa – Cameraman and field reporter with Al Jazeera.
The attack on Handala is the third violent act by Israeli forces against Freedom Flotilla missions this year alone. It follows the drone bombing of the civilian aid ship Conscience in European waters in May, which injured four people and disabled the vessel, and the illegal seizure of the Madleen in June, where Israeli forces abducted twelve civilians, including a Member of the European Parliament. Shortly before their abduction, the Handala‘s crew affirmed that they would be hunger-striking if detained by Israeli forces and not accepting any food from the Israeli Occupation Forces.
Israeli officials have ignored the International Court of Justice’s binding orders that require the facilitation of humanitarian access to Gaza. The continued attacks on peaceful civilian missions represent a grave violation of international law.
“Israel has no legal authority to detain international civilians aboard the Handala,” said Ann Wright a member of the Freedom Flotilla’s steering committee. “This is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction. These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.”
###
ANNOUNCEMENT – BDS Greece
Tourism is not neutral
Solidarity is not a crime – it is humanity and a duty to history!
Protest and boycott are forms of social pressure to stop the genocide!
July 23, 2025
The recent mobilization in Syros against the Israeli cruise ship operated by the complicit company Mano Shipping, was an effective act of defending International Law, showing solidarity with the Palestinian people, and rejecting the normalization of the genocide that has been ongoing in Gaza for 22 months.
It has nothing to do with “acts of hatred” as the murderous state tries to label it—promptly echoed by the Greek government spokesperson and the usual media mouthpieces.
The truth is simple: tourism is not neutral when it offers shelter or tolerance to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and their perpetrators.
Since October 2023, over 300,000 reservists and 160,000 regular soldiers have participated in Israel’s genocidal operation in Gaza. In addition, 800,000 people live in the illegal, under international law, Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian West Bank, where, alongside the army, they seize land, forcibly displace the native Palestinian population, and commit murders. Many of them now visit Greece as “tourists” — without any vetting mechanisms, accountability, or consequences.
Videos from the Mano ship show passengers chanting well-known racist and genocidal Zionist slogans like “Let your village burn” and “Death to Arabs”. These are not “innocent tourists” — they are supporters of genocide, and possibly perpetrators. But we will never know for sure because the Greek government conducts no checks.
The Mitsotakis government, instead of standing by the side of the victims and defending international law, is trying to criminalize solidarity. With statements such as the one made by government spokesman Marinakis about "law and order in Syros" and the need to "activate the anti-racist law", it targets citizens who defend Law and Humanity.
The attempt to present opposition to genocide and the defence of International Law as "anti-Semitism" is a clear instrumentalisation and distortion of the law, especially when hundreds of thousands of Jews around the world are crying "Not in our Name" for the crimes against the Palestinian people.
It is not racism to deny war criminals entry into your country, racism is silence when a people are slaughtered because they are not white, not European, not powerful.
Just a few days ago, 28 Western governments – including, eventually, Greece – denounced:
• The “drip-feed provision of humanitarian aid”
• The “horrific killing of at least 1,000 Palestinians seeking aid”
• The ongoing “inhuman killing of civilians, including children”
• The “attempt to alter the territorial and demographic makeup of the Occupied Palestinian Territories”
• The “escalating settler violence and accelerated settlement expansion in the West Bank”
And yet, the perpetrators are allowed into Greece without interference.
Those responsible for these crimes roam freely in Europe and Greece as tourists.
There is no mechanism to investigate their role in war crimes.
Greece must stop hosting war criminals and stop turning a blind eye.
We demand:
1. Reinstatement of visa requirements for Israeli travelers
2. Entry screening to investigate possible involvement in war crimes or crimes against humanity, for:
◦ Those who served in the Israeli military since October 2023
◦ Those who live or work in illegal Israeli settlements
3. Prosecution of individuals for crimes against humanity under international law
It is the duty of every tourism and hospitality professional to make it clear that their businesses are not open to war criminals, perpetrators of crimes against humanity, or those who support them – regardless of nationality, religion, skin color, etc.
Justice may be slow – but it comes for all.
Just like with the Holocaust, accountability may be delayed, but it is inevitable.
A new Nuremberg awaits those responsible for the crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.
Not only the direct perpetrators of mass atrocities will stand trial, but also the politicians and media who supported, sheltered, and protected them — in the EU, the US, and Greece.
BDS Greece states clearly:
We honor the people of Syros who, with their presence and voice, blocked the ship of complicity.
We stand against the authoritarian repression of the government.
We denounce Greece’s complicity in genocide through military, diplomatic, and economic support to Israel.
Freedom for Palestine – No to complicity – No to silencing
#BDSGreece #FreePalestine #SyrosSolidarity #StopGenocide #NoToRepression #SolidarityCannotBeSilenced
CPA (ML)
Dear ICOR comrades,
In response to your request for ICOR affiliates to send their statements on the Handala to ICOR for publication, we refer you to our website articles:
New Freedom Flotilla heads for Gaza as massacres increase. Vanguard - Communist Party of Australia Marxist Leninist
Israel illegally boards Freedom Flotilla Boat: Albanese must protect Australians involved Vanguard - Communist Party of Australia Marxist Leninist
The first of these articles caused X to permanently suspend our account, which had more than 2000 followers, for a breach of their Rules! They say that their decision will not be reviewed, that is, it is final.
We have posted these articles to our blog, Bluesky and Instagrams pages and to an Australian Socialism reddit page.
Regards,
Nick G.
Appendix 1
New Freedom Flotilla heads for Gaza as massacres increase.
Written by: Nick G. on 22 July 2025
On July 20, two events, one showing the best of humanity, and one showing the worst, took place.
At the southern Italian port of Gallipoli, the latest Freedom Flotilla vessel, the Handala, departed for Gaza with aid mainly for the children who are being killed, traumatised and wounded by the sadistic butchers of the Israel Occupation Forces.
The vessel is named after the Palestinian cartoon figure Handala, a barefoot refugee child who turned his back on injustice and vowed not to turn around until Palestine is free.
Handala is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a grassroots international network that has been sailing against the blockade since 2010.
On board the Handala are 20 volunteers including Australians Robert Martin and Tan Safi, Tunisian Hatem Laouini, ICOR Deputy Coordinator, and 77-year old US-born Palestinian Jew Bob Suberi.
These incredibly brave and committed people, carrying medicines, baby formula and stuffed toys, know what they are sailing into – the jaws of the Zionist beast.
Just hours before launching, Handala was the target of two deeply alarming incidents that appear to be deliberate sabotage intended to obstruct their mission and harm their crew.
On the night of July 19 or early morning July 20, a rope was discovered tightly wound around the boat’s propeller. This could not have occurred through normal use or by accident. It was a direct threat to the safety of the vessel and its ability to sail.
Even more dangerous, on the morning of July 20, the truck sent to deliver fresh water to the boat for washing and cooking on the journey, carried not water, but sulphuric acid. It splashed on a crew member’s leg, causing chemical burns. Another crew member who smelled the substance and opened the container sustained burns to his hand.
Flotilla members have video footage of the individuals who delivered this dangerous substance and have called for an immediate investigation and full accountability for these acts.
As the Handala was preparing to depart, one of the worst days of the deliberate shooting of starving Palestinians at the handful of food distribution centres controlled by the Zionists occurred.
Eighty people were killed as truckloads of aid arrived in the north, while nine others were reported shot near an aid point close to Rafah in the south, and four more were killed near another aid site in Khan Yunis, also in the south.
The aid distribution points are like cheese on a mousetrap, drawing in the starving humanity who are then routinely killed by Occupation Force soldiers. More than ninety in one day, (and close to 900 in total) – all unarmed and civilians, and a further 150 wounded and sent to barely functioning hospitals, represents one of the worst displays of fascist and racist violence imposed on the innocent.
We won’t get much coverage of the Handala in the pro-Zionist mass media, but its progress can be followed here: Freedom Flotilla.
Appendix 2
Israel illegally boards Freedom Flotilla Boat: Albanese must protect Australians involved
Written by: Nick G. on 27 July 2025
The Zionist regime’s Israel Occupation Forces yesterday stormed the Freedom Flotilla’s Handala.
Two Australians were on the boat, Robert Martin – human rights activist; and Tania “Tan” Safi – Journalist and organizer of Lebanese descent.
The boat was carrying aid for the children of Gaza.
It is believed that all 21 activists on the Handala will be taken to the port of Asdod by the Zionist navy and deported. They have declared that they will immediately begin a hunger strike, refusing food from the Zionist entity.
So far, there has been little or no reports in Australian mainstream media of the Handala. Indeed, our own report of July 22, posted to our X account, caused X to suspend our account with its 2000 followers with no other explanation than that we had broken its Rules. You can see for yourself whether our article was justifiably critical of Israel and not anti-Semitic.
We reprint below a statement from the Freedom Flotilla organisation on Israel’s illegal disruption of its mercy dash.
Please write to Albanese (Contact the PM | Prime Minister of Australia) and Wong (Contact the Foreign Minister ) demanding that they issue a public statement condemning Israel’s seizure of the Handala and supporting the right of Australian citizens to join the Freedom Flotilla and its attempts to break Israel’s genocidal blockade of supplies to the starving children of Gaza.
The Freedom Flotilla statement follows:
Israeli Military Attacks Handala in International Waters, Abducts 21 Unarmed Civilians
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirms that its civilian vessel Handala, en route to break Isarel’s illegal, genocidal blockade on Palestinians in Gaza, has been violently intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters about forty nautical miles from Gaza. At 11:43 Palestine time the Occupation cut the cameras on board Handala and we have lost all communication with our ship. The unarmed boat was carrying life-saving supplies when it was boarded by Israeli forces, its passengers abducted, and its cargo seized. The interception occurred in international waters outside Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, in violation of international maritime law.
Handala carried a shipment of critical humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, including baby formula, diapers, food, and medicine. All cargo was non-military, civilian, and intended for direct distribution to a population facing deliberate starvation and medical collapse under Israel’s illegal blockade.
The Handala carried 21 civilians representing 12 countries, including parliamentarians, lawyers, journalists, labor organizers, environmentalists, and other human rights defenders. The crew includes:
Human Rights Defenders Aboard Handala, by country:
United States: Christian Smalls – Amazon Labor Union founder; Huwaida Arraf – Human rights attorney (Palestine/US); Jacob Berger – Jewish-American activist; Bob Suberi – Jewish U.S. war veteran; Braedon Peluso – Sailor and direct action activist; Dr. Frank Romano – International lawyer and actor (France/US).
France: Emma Fourreau – MEP and activist (France/Sweden); Gabrielle Cathala – Parliamentarian and former humanitarian worker; Justine Kempf – Nurse, Médecins du Monde; Ange Sahuquet – Engineer and human rights activist.
Italy: Antonio Mazzeo – Teacher, peace researcher, journalist; Antonio “Tony” La Picirella – Climate and social justice organizer.
Spain: Santiago González Vallejo – Economist and activist; Sergio Toribio – Engineer and environmentalist.
Australia: Robert Martin – Human rights activist; Tania “Tan” Safi – Journalist and organizer of Lebanese descent.
Norway: Vigdis Bjorvand – 70-year-old lifelong justice activist.
United Kingdom / France: Chloé Fiona Ludden – Former UN staff and scientist.
Tunisia: Hatem Aouini – Trade unionist and internationalist activist.
Journalists Aboard Handala
Morocco: Mohamed El Bakkali – Senior journalist with Al Jazeera (based in Paris).
Iraq / United States: Waad Al Musa – Cameraman and field reporter with Al Jazeera.
The attack on Handala is the third violent act by Israeli forces against Freedom Flotilla missions this year alone. It follows the drone bombing of the civilian aid ship Conscience in European waters in May, which injured four people and disabled the vessel, and the illegal seizure of the Madleen in June, where Israeli forces abducted twelve civilians, including a Member of the European Parliament. Shortly before their abduction, the Handala‘s crew affirmed that they would be hunger-striking if detained by Israeli forces and not accepting any food from the Israeli Occupation Forces.
Israeli officials have ignored the International Court of Justice’s binding orders that require the facilitation of humanitarian access to Gaza. The continued attacks on peaceful civilian missions represent a grave violation of international law.
“Israel has no legal authority to detain international civilians aboard the Handala,” said Ann Wright a member of the Freedom Flotilla’s steering committee.
“This is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction. These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.”
Family Westerwelle, Witten, Germany
Dear mister minister from tunisie,
it is very urgent that you do help your citizen Hatem Laouni, who was attacked by Israely military 40 Miles from the coast, together with 20 others. because the help shall be disturbed, what is inhuman and we cannot accept that crime against humanity!
YOU MUST HELP!!!!!!!!
Kind regards
family Westerwelle
Witten, Germany
Holiday Park Thuringian Forest, Germany
Ladies and gentlemen,
It was with great concern and indignation that we read about the attack by the Israeli military on the civilian ship "Handala".
21 unarmed civilians, including Hatem Aouini, were abducted. Hatem Aouini was our guest and we have the greatest respect for his commitment as deputy main coordinator of the ICOR against war and fascism and for a humanity liberated from exploitation and oppression.
We protest in the strongest terms against this violation of human rights and international maritime law. There is a hunger crisis in Palestine that is causing the agonizing deaths of children from starvation every day. It is a genocide for which the Israeli military and the Israeli government are responsible. The aid delivery should alleviate the suffering of the people.
We are very concerned about the health and lives of Hatem Aouini and the other civilians from the ship "Handala". Fulfill your responsibility for your citizen Hatem Aouini, demand his immediate release and take all legal and diplomatic steps to condemn this illegal action.
Make every effort to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Palestine as quickly as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Ilka May / Management
Thomas May / House management
Ferienpark Thüringer Wald
MLPD, Germany
To
the Tunisian Government
dinf@diplomatie.gov.tn
email.dct@diplomatie.gov.tn
July 27, 2025
Dear Sirs and Madams,
As Chairwoman of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany (MLPD), I express my strongest protest against the Israeli army's attack on the Gaza solidarity ship “Handala” last night. The ship was captured and occupied in international waters, 40 nautical miles
off the coast. It is carrying 21 unarmed civilians from 12 countries, including parliamentarians, lawyers, journalists, trade unionists, environmentalists, and other human rights activists, as well as humanitarian aid such as baby food and other life-saving supplies for the Palestinian population in Gaza. It poses no threat whatsoever and operates in full compliance with international maritime law, humanitarian law, and human rights. I personally know Mr. Hatem (L)Aouni and his equally tireless, absolutely honest, and selfless commitment to a free Palestine, and I particularly recommend him to you as a Tunisian citizen.
This humanitarian aid is a matter of solidarity in view of the imminent threat of catastrophic famine in Gaza. The Israeli government has ignored the binding orders of the International Court of Justice, which require facilitating humanitarian access to Gaza, and is thus willingly accepting the starvation of the Palestinian population. This deliberate action must be described as genocide.
The detention of foreign nationals operating in international waters under international law and the capture of the “Handala” are serious violations of international law, are unjustifiable, and must be stopped immediately.
I demand the immediate release of those detained, the integrity and release of the “Handala,” and a guarantee from the Israeli authorities that its aid mission will continue unhindered. Those responsible for this act of state piracy must be held accountable.
Sincerely
Gabi Fechtner
Party Chairwoman of the MLPD
MLKP International Bureau
Handala is the Conscience of Humanity
The Genocidal Murderers Will Be Held Accountable
After October 7, 2023, the barbarity of Zionism escalated to unprecedented levels, reminding the world of the historic and just national liberation struggle of the Palestinians. The significance of the genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the escalation in the West Bank is not just a regional issue. The freedom of Palestine has become a matter of political freedom and democracy worldwide, striking at the heart of imperialism. It exposes the brutality and decay of bourgeois order.
Progressive humanity is mobilizing worldwide, positioning itself on this question of humanity, with many willing to make sacrifices. Initiatives like the Global March to Gaza, the Sumoud Convoy, and the Freedom Flotillas symbolize the conscience of humanity and are actions of fraternity among peoples.
The impending attack on the Handala ship is a manifestation of the abyss of the Zionist occupation, which, with the support of Western imperialism, especially the USA, and in collaboration with the reactionary Arab states, is granted a free hand. In doing so, even the limits of bourgeois warfare and hypocritical morality are crossed. While in Gaza, recently people are starving daily or being cold-bloodedly murdered at the few distribution points for scarce aid supplies, Israel once again attacks a ship that seeks to bring urgently needed goods, especially baby food, to occupied Gaza. Using mafia methods, all the activists on board Handala were arrested and taken to an unknown location, including the deputy main coordinator of ICOR, Hatem Laouini, who had previously been involved in the Sumoud Convoy.
We demand his immediate release, as well as the release of all other activists and journalists on board Handala!
Resistance is freedom. And we must unite around it together. Let us unite our forces in the best traditions of proletarian internationalism and raise the flag of Palestine's freedom, which represents our very own freedom!
The Palestinians will never be alone in their longing for freedom. The genocidal murderers will sooner or later be held accountable.
Zionism will not prevail.
The Middle East belongs to the free and equal peoples in democracy and socialism.
27 July 2025
Nina Brandt/ Member of the Federal Women's Council of the Ver.di trade union/ Germany
Ladies and gentlemen!
I ask you to do everything in your power to protect your Tunisian citizen Hatem Laouini. My trade union colleague Hatem Laouini is sailing on the Handala with vital aid supplies to Gaza. The ship was illegally hijacked last night by the Israeli army. Any government that fails to do anything about this is complicit in the death of the baby who died today because this food didn't arrive. Act now!
PCR-U (Uruguay)
Revolutionary Communist Party of Uruguay-UP
Immediate release of the Handala activists! – Stop the genocide in Gaza NOW!
On July 26, the fascist Israeli army boarded the Handala, the second ship of the Freedom Flotilla. It did so in international waters and arrested the 19 activists and two journalists on board. Among them was Hatem Laouini, a prominent Tunisian internationalist activist and deputy coordinator of ICOR.
The Handala was heading to Gaza with urgently needed humanitarian supplies, where the population is suffering not only from daily mass murders but also from severe widespread starvation due to the criminal blockade imposed on them.
Free passage for the Handala and its humanitarian supplies to Gaza!
Immediate withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza and the West Bank!
Immediate cessation of all arms supplies from imperialist countries to the Zionist-fascist state of Israel!
Break diplomatic and trade relations with Israel!
Long live the heroic struggle of the Palestinian people and internationalist solidarity!
TKS
Protest in Rojava demanding Freedom for Gaza and Handala activists
The Revolutionary Communist Movement (TKS) demands freedom for Palestine and immediate release for the activists of the Handala ship, who represent the conscience of humanity in their attempt to break the inhuman siege on Gaza.
The Communists of Rojava condemned Zionist attacks and emphasized that the freedom of the peoples in the Middle East is linked to each other. raising the flag of fraternity and calling to mobilize for the freedom of Palestine.
International Coordinating Committee of Revolutionary Organizations and Parties (ICOR), Americas Branch
The International Coordinating Committee of Revolutionary Organizations and Parties (ICOR), in its American branch, condemns the detention of the naval flotilla in international waters, while it was preparing to take food, medicine and powdered milk to the inhabitants of Gaza, who are suffering the most terrible genocide in history and a blockade that prevents access to all humanitarian aid.
We demand that the nineteen internationalists and the two journalists, occupants of the flotilla, imprisoned by troops of the Zionist army of Israel, be immediately released and that they continue their destiny of solidarity to Gaza.
It should be noted that the crew is not carrying any weapons that could cause alarm to the genocidal army of Israel. Only noble hearts, full of love and humanism, expressed materially in food and medicine, accompany them.
We call upon the world and its genuine revolutionary representations to pronounce themselves in condemnation of this anti-human and criminal action, denying the most elementary rights of the human being.
Immediate freedom for Hatem Laouini, deputy main coordinator of ICOR, and the other members of the Handala flotilla.
Immediate freedom for the detainees!
Free access to humanitarian aid throughout Palestine!
Long live free Palestine!
No to the Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people!
Statement of the Marxist-Leninist Group Switzerland on the seizure of the Gaza solidarity ship "Handala"
The MLGS condemns the seizure of the Gaza solidarity ship "Handala" in international waters in violation of international law and the illegal detention of the crew. This action is part of the war crimes committed by the Israeli imperialists against the civilian population of Gaza. We declare our solidarity with the crew of the solidarity ship, who wanted to bring relief supplies to the suffering people in Gaza.
We demand the immediate release of all crew members of the Gaza solidarity ship “Handala” and the delivery of the confiscated aid supplies to the civilian population of Gaza.
For the Marxist-Leninist Proletarian Union/ France
Ladies and Gentlemen,
After the ship “Handala” was boarded and several citizens, including Tunisians, were arrested and imprisoned in harsh conditions, we ask you to act to protect activists for peace and freedom for the Palestinian people. The volunteers on board deliver vital aid to Gaza. They are unarmed, carrying only food, medicine and powdered milk, and acting in full compliance with international law.
It's time for governments around the world to act! Protect your citizens aboard the “Handala” and demand an end to Israel's war crimes.
Safe passage is a legal and moral obligation.
Yours sincerely
Pierre Tailleur
All women of COURAGE Hamburg
To the staff of ICOR ,
We women of the COURAGE local branch Hamburg condemn in the strongest possible terms the hijacking of the civilian ship "Handala" by the Israeli army.
We demand the immediate release of all 21 unarmed civilians.
This act is contrary to international maritime law and is also a serious violation of international law. This is a peaceful civilian action to provide Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip with essential supplies.
CC (MLM) Xiang Guanqi
We strongly urge Israel to release the detainees immediately.
Socialist Party of Bangladesh-SPB, General Secretary
Press statement
Immediate release of the 21 Handala comrades! Down with
Zionist piracy and the genocidal siege of the Gaza Strip!
The Socialist Party of Bangladesh-SPB strongly condemns the barbaric and lawless act committed by Israeli occupation forces in international waters on July 26, 2025. The Zionist military boarded the humanitarian ship Handala and kidnapped all 21 activists and journalists on board—including our comrade Hatem Laouini, deputy chief coordinator of ICOR.
This is an act of state terrorism, piracy on the high seas, and a brazen attack on the international solidarity movement with the people of Palestine. It once again exposes the criminal nature of the Zionist state and its imperialist backers.
The Handala was bringing urgently needed aid to Gaza—food, medicine, and hope for a besieged population facing genocide. The Israeli army, which has already murdered tens of thousands and starved the population of Gaza, now dares to kidnap unarmed activists whose only “crime” is solidarity with Palestine.
We declare:
Release all 21 detained comrades immediately!
Lift the inhumane siege of the Gaza Strip and end the genocide of the Palestinian people!
Recognize the full legitimacy of the Palestinian struggle for liberation and their right to self-determination!
The Socialist Party of Bangladesh-SPB stands in solidarity with the heroic resistance of the Palestinian people and the Handala Freedom Flotilla. The blood-soaked Zionist regime, supported by US imperialism, will not be able to silence global solidarity.
We call on all progressive, democratic, and anti-imperialist forces in Bangladesh and worldwide to raise their voices, organize protests in front of Israeli and US embassies, and demand the immediate release of our comrades and an end to Zionist crimes.
History has shown that no amount of oppression can crush the struggle of an oppressed people. The liberation of Palestine is inevitable.
Down with Zionism and imperialism!
Victory for the Palestinian people!
Freedom for Handala and all his comrades NOW!
With revolutionary solidarity
Bazlur Rashid Firoz
General Secretary
Socialist Party of Bangladesh-SPB
To:
The Honerable Minister.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia
Subject: Urgent appeal: Immediate action for the release of 21 abducted activists and the ship
Handala
Dear Excellencies,
We, the Socialist Party of Bangladesh-SPB, write to you with urgency and deep concern regarding the abduction in international waters on July 26, 2025, of 21 activists and journalists aboard the humanitarian ship Handala, among them a citizen of your country and ICOR Deputy Chief Coordinator, Comrade Hatem Laouini.
This violent act of piracy by the Israeli occupation forces, against a peaceful and unarmed mission carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, is a flagrant violation of international law and of the fundamental principles of humanity.
The Handala was carrying relief supplies intended for the besieged people of Gaza, where a genocide is unfolding due to the ongoing blockade and relentless military aggression of the Zionist regime.
In this grave situation, we call on the Tunisian Government to take immediate, concrete, and public diplomatic action to ensure:
The immediate and unconditional release of all 21 activists and journalists abducted from the Handala;
The release of the humanitarian ship Handala and the relief supplies on board, with free passage to Gaza;
An immediate ceasefire and the lifting of the inhumane blockade of Gaza;
The cessation of all arms deliveries by imperialist countries to the fascist-Zionist Israeli government;
Freedom and democracy for Palestine, and full support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
We stress that Comrade Hatem Laouini’s imprisonment—like that of thousands of Palestinian political prisoners—is not only a question of individual safety but a matter of justice for the entire Palestinian cause.
We urge the Tunisian Government, which has no diplomatic relations with the Zionist entity, to use all political, legal, and international channels to secure the safety of your citizens and their comrades.
Their immediate release is a demand of international law and human conscience.
The Socialist Party of Bangladesh-SPB stands firmly in solidarity with the Tunisian people, the Handala mission, and the Palestinian people’s just struggle for liberation.
Down with Zionist piracy and genocide!
Free Palestine! Victory to the resistance!
With Thanks
Bazlur Rashid Firoz
General Secretary
Socialist Party of Bangladesh-SPB
RCP, Kathmandu
We are deeply concerned about the recent actions taken by the armed forces of Israel. On 25 July 2025, they unlawfully seized the ship Handala, which was carrying humanitarian aid for the war-affected Palestinian people. Along with the ship’s seizure, 19 volunteers and 2 journalists from 12 different countries, including Hatem Laouini, the deputy chief coordinator of ICOR, were arrested in international waters, 40 nautical miles off the Israeli coast, while enroute to the Gaza Strip.
Following this incident, the Israeli authorities transferred all 21 individuals to an undisclosed location, where they were detained and interrogated. The authorities have pressured them to either choose voluntary deportation or remain in detention, effectively violating their rights to freedom of navigation and their right to provide aid to the people of Gaza, who are in urgent need.
We strongly condemn these actions by Israel and demand the immediate and unconditional release of everyone in detention. We call for the respect of their rights and insist that they be allowed to reach the Palestinian people. Furthermore, we urge the governments of the 12 countries involved—Australia, France, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel to ensure the safety and release of their citizens as soon as possible.
We express our unwavering support and solidarity with the Palestinian people’s struggle for a sovereign and independent state of Palestine. We demand an immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestine and an end to the occupation of Palestinian lands. We honour the sacrifices made by the Palestinian people in their quest for sovereignty and independence against their oppressors. We believe that, ultimately, the Palestinian people will prevail in their just struggle against the Zionist regime, supported by U.S. imperialism and its allies.
• Release all individuals in detention immediately!
• Stop Israeli obstruction of aid to Gaza!
• Free the lands of the Palestinian people now!
• Long live international solidarity with Palestine!
• Glory to the just struggle of the Palestinian people!
• Down with the Zionist state of Israel!
• Down with U.S. imperialism!
Gaurav
Acting General Secretary
Revolutionary United Front of Nepal (RUFN)
Wir möchten unsere tiefe Besorgnis über die alarmierenden Aktionen der Streitkräfte des Staates Israel zum Ausdruck bringen, insbesondere über die unerlaubte Beschlagnahmung des Schiffes Handala, das ein Hilfspaket für die vom Krieg betroffene palästinensische Bevölkerung transportierte. Darüber hinaus verurteilen wir die unrechtmäßige Festnahme von 19 Freiwilligen und 2 Journalisten aus 12 verschiedenen Ländern, darunter Genosse Hatem Laouini, der stellvertretende Hauptkoordinator der ICOR, in internationalen Gewässern, etwa 40 Seemeilen vor der israelischen Küste, am 25. Juli 2025.
Nach der Beschlagnahmung des Schiffes und der Verhaftung aller Personen an Bord wurden sie von den israelischen Behörden an einen unbekannten Ort gebracht, wo sie festgehalten und verhört wurden. Die Behörden haben sie gezwungen, sich für eine freiwillige Abschiebung zu entscheiden oder in Gewahrsam zu bleiben. Diese Maßnahmen stellen eine erhebliche Verletzung des Rechts auf freie Schifffahrt in internationalen Gewässern und des Rechts der an Bord befindlichen Personen dar, in den Gazastreifen zu gelangen, um die palästinensische Bevölkerung zu unterstützen, die sich derzeit in einer schwierigen Lage befindet. Diese Aktionen Israels offenbaren der Weltgemeinschaft sein wahres Wesen.
Wir verurteilen hiermit auf das Schärfste die von Israel begangenen Gräueltaten und fordern die sofortige und bedingungslose Freilassung aller inhaftierten Personen. Wir fordern die Achtung ihrer Rechte und bestehen darauf, dass es ihnen gestattet wird, in den vom Krieg zerrütteten Gazastreifen zu gelangen, um dringend benötigte Hilfe zu leisten. Darüber hinaus fordern wir die Behörden aller 12 Länder - Australien, Frankreich, Irak, Israel, Italien, Marokko, Norwegen, Spanien, Schweden, Tunesien, das Vereinigte Königreich und die Vereinigten Staaten - auf, diplomatischen Druck auf Israel auszuüben, damit die Sicherheit und die Freilassung ihrer Bürger so schnell wie möglich erreicht wird.
Wir bekunden unsere uneingeschränkte Unterstützung und Solidarität mit dem Kampf des palästinensischen Volkes für einen souveränen und unabhängigen Staat Palästina und fordern den sofortigen Rückzug der israelischen Streitkräfte aus den palästinensischen Gebieten und ein Ende der israelischen Besatzung. Wir würdigen die Opfer, die das palästinensische Volk in seinem Streben nach Souveränität und Unabhängigkeit gegen seine Unterdrücker gebracht hat. Wir sind zuversichtlich, dass das palästinensische Volk in seinem gerechten Kampf gegen das zionistische Regime, das vom US-Imperialismus und seinen Verbündeten unterstützt wird, früher oder später siegen wird.
Sofortige Freilassung aller inhaftierten Personen!
Beenden Sie die israelische Behinderung der Hilfslieferungen nach Gaza!
Befreit das Land des palästinensischen Volkes jetzt!
Es lebe die internationale Solidarität mit Palästina!
Ruhm für den gerechten Kampf des palästinensischen Volkes!
Nieder mit dem zionistischen Staat Israel!
Nieder mit dem US-Imperialismus!
Hochachtungsvoll,
Pari Thapa
Generalsekretär