The Handala crew decided to sail through Egyptian waters under the threat of imminent interception from Israel. The passengers have spotted dozens of drones overhead, as well as a number of sea vessels in pursuit, despite Israel ignoring all communication attempts from Handala.
Seen in the background are some of the toys the team hopes to deliver to the children of Gaza 🕊️
Posted by mistberries
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Here’s hoping they reach and return safely and hope they fulfil their mission 🤞🏻
The Handala is named after the famous cartoon of Handala by Naji al Ali. Handala is a cartoon of a little boy depicted with his hands clasped behind his back. He is the symbol of the Palestinian refugees that are waiting justice and return.
UPDATE: THE HANDALA HAS BEEN INTERCEPTED BY THE IOF.
I see my goat Jacob there.
Between the U.S. NRO Constellation system and Israels own Ofek, no ship or even boat will be able to reach Gaza without Israel intercepting them.
I read they’re way past that point now, they’re around where the Madeleine was intercepted
https://preview.redd.it/7p22lf9c1aff1.png?width=1634&format=png&auto=webp&s=8cb9e512b98bbabec273f414da7a45cfaa294947
Noise travels across water very far away, so the chanting isn’t helping…
Praying for their safe passage. ❤️ Brave heroes.
As several vessels close in on Handala, Huwaida Arraf, a US-Palestinian human rights lawyer, demands that Israeli forces stand down and let Handala continue its journey to Gaza:
>Israeli Navy, again, this is Handala. Again, we are a civilian vessel, and we are sailing lawfully in international waters where you have no jurisdiction. We are sailing from international waters into Palestinian territorial waters, where you have no lawful jurisdiction.
>**Your claim of enforcing a maritime blockade is rejected.** You have no authority to enforce a blockade that is deliberately starving civilians. Any blockade that starves civilians or has a disproportionate harmful effect on a civilian population is illegal. And therefore, you have no authority to enforce an illegal blockade. And as such, you are not permitted to use any kind of force to enforce an illegal blockade.
>We demand that you stand down, that you not attack this civilian vessel that is carrying only humanitarian aid. **Why are you afraid of baby formula and teddy bears that are destined for the children of Gaza?**
>You spew your propaganda about Hamas. This vessel carries food and baby formula for children that your government is deliberately starving. **Your blockade is deliberately starving children to death.**
>You have no authority to enforce an illegal blockade. This is a war crime. You are responsible for the health, well-being, and safety of all civilians aboard this vessel, and any attack on us is a violation of international law for which you will be held accountable by the international community.
>Again, we are a civilian vessel. We constitute no threat to you. **Do not attack this vessel. Do not board our vessel. Do not obstruct our path to Gaza.**
>Handala out.
*Source: @/gazafreedomflotilla live broadcast on IG*
Earlier during the Gaza Freedom Flotilla’s live broadcast, Arraf explained that the crew had tried to make contact with Israeli forces several times as they approached Gaza. Despite Israeli forces claiming to the media that they were making contact with the boat to give it a chance to turn back, the crew had never received any communications, and all their attempts were ignored.
I hope they make it. Israel should have no power to stop them, technically Israel cannot shoot them under international law but it’s not like that’s something they really follow…
Sending them so much love ❤️
May God protect them 🥺