The Center for Constitutional Rights condemns Israel’s use of military force to yet again prevent the delivery of desperately needed aid to Palestinians in Gaza being starved to death

July 26, 2025, New York – Shortly after 4:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 p.m. local time, the Israeli government intercepted and boarded the Handala, the latest Gaza flotilla boat to attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, and abducted its crew. The Handala had 21 people on board from ten countries, including seven United States citizens. The Center for Constitutional Rights issued the following statement condemning Israel’s actions:

 “The Center for Constitutional Rights stands proudly with the human rights defenders aboard the Handala aid ship and condemns Israel’s use of military force to yet again prevent the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza being starved to death by Israel. The use of force against the brave human rights activists on the Handala threatens their lives, as we have seen repeatedly, including in 2010, when Israeli commandos killed ten unarmed passengers, including one American citizen, on the Freedom Flotilla I. This is not the first Freedom Flotilla that has attempted to break the siege on Gaza since this genocide started. In June of this year, Israel also unlawfully intercepted another vessel carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Also in June of this year, people of conscience from across the world participated in the March to Gaza. As states have woefully failed in their duty to prevent a genocide, people have courageously stepped in. Those on the frontlines representing the conscience of the world must be protected.  

“Israel is continuing to carry out its genocide of Palestinians in Gaza through mass starvation while the entire world watches. Israeli military officials have admitted their government’s justification for preventing UN aid distribution due to theft of aid is unfounded, lying to the international community to prevent UNRWA from delivering critical life-saving aid to Gaza across the entirety of the Gaza Strip. Instead they have teamed up with private contractors and mercenaries to forcibly displace people into killing fields under the guise of delivering aid. Humanitarian efforts to deliver aid must be ensured safe passage and permitted to reach Palestinians in Gaza. 

“The Center for Constitutional Rights calls on the U.S. government to publicly demand the safety and immediate release of the U.S. citizens and all on the Handala, and calls on the international community to take all measures to lift Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza and to end Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people. The world must refuse Israel’s deliberate mass starvation of Palestinians in Gaza, and finally take steps to end Israel’s impunity for genocide, the crime of crimes.”

Read more about the Center for Constitutional Rights work in support of Palestinian rights here.