UPDATE - Emergency declared on Gaza-bound aid ship as drone, vessel approach boat

UPDATES WITH DETAILS, CHANGES HEADLINE

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - A state of emergency was declared aboard the Handala aid ship sailing to the Gaza Strip on Saturday evening as a drone and vessel were approaching the boat.

“Interception possibly taking place. A vessel is currently approaching them,” the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organizes the voyage, said on Telegram.

“A drone approaching!”

A reporter for the Doha-based Al Jazeera television aboard the ship said a state of emergency has been declared on Handala.

Israeli officials have threatened to intercept the Gaza-bound aid ship if it failed to change course.

The coalition earlier said that the vessel was about 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast.

“We're getting closer each time: the Mavi Marmara was 72 miles away, the Ship of Conscience was 1,050 miles away, the Madleen was 110 miles away,” said the coalition on X.

“Roughly 8 hours remain until a possible arrival in Gaza, with an estimated docking time around 4:30 a.m., if not intercepted,” said the coalition.

The Handala, which departed from Italy, is carrying baby formula, food, and medicine under international maritime and humanitarian law. It carries 21 unarmed civilians, including lawmakers, medics, and volunteers.