Contact Restored with Gaza-Bound Aid Ship Handala Amid Fears of Israeli Attack
www.palestinechronicle.com
Communications were restored early on Friday with the Handala, an aid vessel heading for Gaza, after a two-hour interruption.

Reminder 🚨: 19 International Human Rights defenders and 2 Journalists from 12 different countries set sail on the Handala Freedom Flotilla on Sunday 20 July on a bold mission to challenge Israel’s illegal and inhumane blockade of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

They currently remain en route (as of July 25, 2025) and on mission. Communications have been restored after drone fly-bys caused concern of those onboard and contact was temporarily lost.

The Handala, now at sea, carries life-saving humanitarian aid and a direct political message: the blockade must end.

Human Rights Defenders on Board:

Christian Smalls (United States 🇺🇸) – Founder of the Amazon Labor Union

Huwaida Arraf (Palestine/United States 🇵🇸🇺🇸) – Human rights attorney, Freedom Flotilla Coalition steering committee member

Emma Fourreau (France/Sweden 🇫🇷🇸🇪) – Member of the European Parliament and human rights activist

Gabrielle Cathala (France 🇫🇷) – Parliamentarian and former humanitarian worker

Dr. Frank Romano (France/United States 🇫🇷🇺🇸) – International lawyer and actor

Robert Martin (Australia 🇦🇺) – Human rights activist

Jacob Berger (United States 🇺🇸) – Jewish-American activist and content creator

Bob Suberi (United States 🇺🇸) – Jewish U.S. war veteran

Antonio Mazzeo (Italy 🇮🇹) – Teacher, peace researcher, and journalist

Santiago González Vallejo (Spain 🇪🇸) – Economist and human rights activist

Sergio Toribio (Spain 🇪🇸) – Engineer and environmental activist

Justine Kempf (France 🇫🇷) – Nurse with Médecins du Monde

Ange Sahuquet (France 🇫🇷) – Engineer and human rights activist

Antonio La Picirella (Italy 🇮🇹) – Climate and social justice organizer

Braedon Peluso (United States 🇺🇸) – Seasoned sailor and direct action activist

Chloé Fiona Ludden (United Kingdom/France 🇬🇧🇫🇷) – Former United Nations staff member and scientist

Hatem Aouini (Tunisia 🇹🇳) – Trade unionist and internationalist activist

Tania “Tan” Safi (Australia 🇦🇺) – Journalist and organizer born to Lebanese refugees

Vigdis Bjorvand (Norway 🇳🇴) 70-year-old activist with an unwavering commitment to justice spanning nearly five decades

Journalists on Board:

**Mohamed El Bakkali **(Morocco 🇲🇦) – Senior journalist with Al Jazeera, based in Paris

**Waad Al Musa **(Iraq/United States 🇮🇶🇺🇸) – Cameraman and field reporter with Al Jazeera