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July 29, 2025 – Morocco –
Moroccan journalist Mohamed El Bakkali has returned to Morocco after being released from Israeli detention, where he was held for participating in the “Handala” humanitarian ship mission aimed at breaking the naval blockade on Gaza. El Bakkali, a veteran reporter for Morocco’s state news agency MAP and a board member of the Moroccan Journalists Union, arrived in Casablanca on July 28, 2025, where he was received by family, colleagues, and union members.
The Handala ship, carrying activists, journalists, and humanitarian workers from various countries, set sail in mid-July with the stated goal of delivering aid to Palestinians in Gaza and drawing international attention to the siege. Israeli naval forces intercepted the ship in international waters and detained all passengers, including El Bakkali. He was held for several days in an Israeli facility before being deported without formal charges.
Upon arrival in Morocco, El Bakkali emphasized that the mission was peaceful and focused on solidarity. He reiterated that his role was purely journalistic and that his coverage aimed to document the humanitarian situation and international activism surrounding the blockade. El Bakkali thanked Moroccan diplomatic services and human rights groups for their advocacy, which he said helped secure his release.
His return was met with relief and praise from Moroccan journalist associations, who described his detention as a violation of press freedom and international norms. The Moroccan National Union of the Press condemned the arrest and called on international institutions to ensure the protection of journalists working in conflict zones.
This incident has added to growing concerns over the treatment of journalists by Israeli forces, particularly those covering humanitarian efforts in or around Gaza. Human rights organizations have raised alarms about Israel’s handling of journalists in recent months, noting a pattern of detentions, intimidation, and obstruction.
El Bakkali’s safe return is seen as a positive outcome, but press freedom advocates warn that the incident reflects the increasing risks faced by journalists attempting to report on conflict and humanitarian crises in the region.
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