Handala Freedom Flotilla (Credit: Freedom Flotilla Coalition)
Following Freedom Flotilla Handala on its way to Gaza
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) announced Sunday that it will launch a new mission on July 13, sending the vessel Handala toward Gaza in a direct challenge to what it calls Israel’s “illegal, deadly blockade” of the coastal enclave.
The boat, named after the iconic Palestinian cartoon character representing resistance and exile, will carry humanitarian aid and a delegation of civilians determined to break through the ongoing siege. Onboard will be volunteer medics, human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, and community organizers from around the world.
“The vessel will carry life-saving humanitarian aid and a message of solidarity from people around the world refusing to stay silent as Gaza is starved, bombed, and buried under rubble,” the coalition said in a press statement.
This latest mission comes just weeks after a previous flotilla boat, the Madleen, was reportedly seized by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) in international waters. According to the coalition, twelve unarmed civilians aboard that ship, including a Member of the European Parliament, a doctor, and several journalists, were detained, interrogated, and eventually deported.
Crew of ‘Handala’ ship sends message of solidarity to UN’s Francesca Albanese
The crew and activists aboard the "Handala" ship have sent a message of support to Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, expressing solidarity amid growing political incitement against her.
In their message, they wrote: “From Handala to the beacon of humanity, Francesca, our mission is for the children of Gaza and for our shared humanity.” They affirmed that Albanese represents a free voice in the face of international silence.
Francesca Albanese has been facing mounting political pressure and sanctions from the United States over her positions against Israeli Occupation
Defying the blockade again, Handala prepares to sail from Italy to Gaza with aid
Where is Freedom Flotilla's Handala boat now?
The Handala, the lead vessel in the latest Freedom Flotilla mission to Gaza, was tracked off the coast of Catanzaro, Italy, as of 6:02 PM Jordan time (GMT+3) on Monday, July 14, 2025.
As the Handala sails toward Gaza in defiance of the 'Israeli' blockade, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has once again joined forces with research agency Forensic Architecture to equip the vessel with an advanced tracking system. The move is designed to ensure the safety of activists onboard and to increase global oversight of the mission.
The tracking system provides continuous, real-time updates on the Handala’s location, allowing journalists, legal observers, and human rights organizations to monitor the vessel throughout its journey. The coalition says this technology is a key part of its broader strategy of nonviolent resistance and international solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
“This isn’t just a tool for navigation—it’s a shield,” the coalition included in their statement. “It’s about protection, accountability, and transparency.”
The mission faces well-documented threats. Previous flotillas attempting to reach Gaza have been met with aggressive 'Israeli' military responses, including armed raids, arrests, and the seizure of humanitarian cargo. The coalition argues that the tracking device acts as a deterrent by making any such violations visible to the world in real time.
Handala departs Siracusa to head towards Gaza
Freedom Flotilla's 'Handala' sets sail for Gaza
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has officially launched its latest boat, Handala, setting sail from the Sicilian port city of Siracusa on Saturday morning.
The departure ceremony, attended by activists, journalists, and supporters both in person and online, marked the beginning of another mission to challenge what organizers call Israel’s "illegal and deadly siege" on the Palestinian enclave.
“We continue — with global solidarity — to challenge Israel’s illegal and deadly siege,” said organizers in a public statement. The launch follows an incident just weeks ago when the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) intercepted and raided the coalition’s previous boat, Madleen, in international waters and detained 12 unarmed civilians on board.
Despite the risks, the coalition remains undeterred. Handala is carrying humanitarian supplies and aims to reach the besieged Gaza Strip as part of the coalition’s broader campaign to expose the humanitarian crisis there and demand unrestricted access for aid.
