7/7/2025–|Last update: 23:35 (Mecca time)
An alliance continues Freedom Fleet Its preparations for the launch of a new ship called “Handala” on July 13 of the Italian port Gaza In light of the continuous extermination war on the Strip.
The launch of this ship comes just weeks after the occupation forces seized Madeleine ship The coalition at sea, which, according to the organizers, represented an additional escalation in the face of civil initiatives that seek to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged sector for nearly 18 years.
For the sake of Gaza children
Handala seeks – according to the organizers – to draw the world’s attention to the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, in light of the blockade and genocide that has been going on since October 2023, which left more than 50 thousand children among a martyr and wounded, and the displacement of nearly a million children of their homes.
The ship carries a symbolic shipment of humanitarian aid, as well as a strong solidarity message with the Palestinian people, especially children who make up more than half of the residents of the Strip.
Speaking to Al -Jazeera Net, the founding member in the Freedom Fleet Alliance, Huwaida, said, “Handala is not just a ship, but a civil cry in the face of global silence, we sail for the children of Gaza, for justice, and for the right of every Palestinian to live free and safe.”
“We refuse to stand spectators while Gaza is buried under the rubble, and its children are left to face hunger, disease and shock,” she added.
Why “Handala”?
The coalition chose the name “Handala” for its new shift in relation to the famous cartoon character created by the late Palestinian painter Naji Al -Ali, who symbolizes the Palestinian refugee child who turned his back to the world, rejecting injustice.
Arafa explained that “this ship carries the spirit of Handala, and also carries the lives of the children of Gaza, who were deprived of security, dignity and joy, and they are left to face continuous massacres without protection.”
A statement issued by the coalition to announce the launch date of the ship to the reality, which is increasingly difficult in Gaza, especially since March 18, 2025 after Israel violated the ceasefire agreement, since more than 6572 Palestinians have been martyred since then more than 23,000.
More than 700 Palestinians of the councils were also martyred while waiting for the near distribution points of the food aid that is managed by what is known as “Gaza Humanitarian Corporation“Supported by the United States and Israel.
The Freedom Flotant Alliance describes these initiatives as a “human deception”, as relief points have turned into “Death traps“And Arafa confirmed that” what we are witnessing in Gaza is not just a siege policy, but rather systematic tools for committing mass crimes, and silence from them is a direct complicity. “
Renewed message
Last June, the “Madeleine” ship of the Freedom Fleet Alliance was attacked in international waters, as the Israeli forces detained it and arrested 12 activists, including a member of the European Parliament, doctors, journalists and human rights defenders, before they were deported after being detained and exposed to investigation and ill -treatment.
Despite this, the coalition insists on continuing its efforts, as the head of the ICRC to break the siege on Gaza, Zahir Birawi, explained in a statement to Al -Jazeera Net, saying, “Our response to the piracy that” Madeleine “was subjected to is the launch of” Handhala “, this is a clear message that we will not retreat, and that our civil will is stronger than the occupation weapon.”
“It is necessary to continue attempts to break the siege across the sea to confirm the Palestinian right with a marine pass, and not only a human pass – because of its importance at this stage – but to confirm the right of the Palestinians to communicate with the world freely across the sea,” Braoy added.
Regarding the possibility of exposure to the ship, as happened with its predecessors, Braoy said, “We know that the ship can be attacked, but it is necessary to continue to hit the wall of the siege and global silence in order to be broken by the masses of the world who refuse to continue the crime of war, genocide and the siege, so trying and continuing to impose an eye on every capable, which is a refusal to normalize with the crime that occurred.”
Breaking the media blockade
Before heading towards Gaza, “Handala” carried out during the years 2023 and 2024 rounds in a number of ports in northern Europe and the United Kingdom, where mass and press activities were organized that drew attention to the suffering of the Palestinians under the siege.
“Hanzala is not only sailing to break the maritime blockade, but also broke the media and political siege imposed on Gaza in Europe in every port of our anchors in it,” the coalition media activist Hi Sha and Yaya told Al -Jazeera Net.
He added, “We met with solidarity masses, we organized artistic press activities, and we launched political awareness campaigns. This interaction brought Palestine back to the introduction to the general debate in Western societies in which this novel sometimes is absent and now, it is time for Handala to start to its natural destination: Gaza.”