Mohamed El Bakkali Freed After Detention on Gaza Flotilla

Moroccan journalist Mohamed El Bakkali was freed after Israel seized the Handala ship off Gaza.

Mohamed El Bakkali has safely returned to Morocco after his release from Israeli detention following the interception of the Handala ship, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, in late July 2025. The vessel, carrying activists, lawyers, medics, and journalists, set sail with humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, in an effort to break the blockade and reach Gaza directly. On July 26, however, Israeli naval forces seized the ship in international waters nearly 40 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast and towed it to the port of Ashdod, where passengers were detained.

El Bakkali’s arrest drew widespread criticism from rights groups, international legal organizations, and Moroccan political figures who denounced both the interception of the ship and the treatment of those onboard. Legal advocacy group Adalah stressed that Israel’s actions violated international law, arguing that the detention of civilians outside Israeli territory and the coercive conditions of their release were unlawful.

After several days in custody, El Bakkali was released, but only under the condition that he sign a document pledging not to join future humanitarian missions to Gaza. He was then deported through Paris before arriving back in Morocco, where his case has been held up as an example of both the dangers facing journalists covering humanitarian efforts and the obstacles confronting those who attempt to challenge the Gaza blockade. His release underscores the heavy diplomatic and advocacy pressure that followed his detention, but also highlights how Israel continues to impose restrictions on activists and reporters seeking to document its siege.

To read the full story: https://tjcproject.org/moroccan-journalist-mohamed-el-bakkali-returns-home-after-release-from-israeli-detention/