Freedom Flotilla Coalition's Handala Ship Sets Sail For Gaza

KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 (Bernama) -- The Handala ship, owned by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and carrying humanitarian aid supplies, set sail for Gaza from the Port of Siracusa, Italy, on Sunday.

In a statement on Monday, the Chief Executive Officer of Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE), Kamarul Zaman Shaharul Anwar, said that the Handala ship will sail to several countries in Northern Europe before continuing its journey to Gaza as part of the “For the Children of Gaza” mission.

“The ship is carrying around 15 pro-Palestinian international activists as well as humanitarian aid supplies,” he said.

He added that the voyage is intended to show solidarity with the people of Gaza amid ongoing mass killings and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

During its journey, the Handala ship is scheduled to stop in Gallipoli, southeastern Italy, and will be joined by two French members of parliament from the “La France Insoumise” party on July 18.

Kamarul Zaman said this voyage marks FFC's fourth attempt to break through the Israeli blockade.

Previous attempts included the incident involving two Zionist military drones attacking the ship Conscience in Maltese waters in early May, as well as the detention of activists by Israeli forces on June 12 while they were aboard the ship Madleen en route to Gaza, he said.

He stated that this mission is intended to protest the inhumane blockade imposed by the Israeli regime on the people of Gaza, which has prevented humanitarian aid from entering the conflict-stricken territory.

This mission also highlights the ongoing violence and brutality of the Zionist regime in Gaza, he added.

Kamarul Zaman, who is also a steering committee member of the FFC, noted that the mission is fully funded through public donations and aims to deliver a message of international solidarity against the ongoing oppression in Gaza.

-- BERNAMA