Failed to raise funds and crashed into a pier: "Handala II" will not reach Gaza
Participants of a new flotilla to Gaza were stopped before they even started, when the vessel "Handala II" crashed into a pier at the port of Kiel, causing damage worth tens of thousands of euros. Earlier, the fundraising campaign stalled, reaching only 10% of its goal. German police are investigating the incident regarding damage to port infrastructure.
More than a year after the vessel "Handala" was stopped on its way to the shores of Gaza, another ship named after it encountered difficulties and crashed into a pier wall at the port of Kiel in northern Germany. This was reported by the Danish news site "Kieler Nachrichten", which noted that the flotilla members also struggled to raise the full funds required to operate the voyage.
The Danish vessel "Fru Sand", carrying pro-Palestinian activists, departed from Marstal in Denmark under its new name, "Handala II". The goal, according to the activists, is to break the naval blockade on the Strip, similar to the stated goal of previous flotillas, which carried no aid on board. However, even before leaving Europe, the flotilla members realized they would not be able to reach Gaza. According to the report, the fundraising campaign they relied on managed to raise only about 10% of the goal, after which donations ceased.
Upon arriving at the German coast, the activists crashed into the pier and caused significant damage to the ship's engine, estimated at at least 30,000 euros. Local rescue forces in Germany placed a barrier around the ship and clarified that it would not be removed "until the damage balance is settled" and the malfunctions are repaired.
The director of the port of Kiel, Milnhardt, told the Danish site:
"The ship is not suitable for staying in the port. It needs to leave as soon as possible."
According to him, the presence of the ship in its current state poses a danger to the site and other vessels in the event of strong winds. The German police have opened an investigation against the crew on suspicion of causing damage to port infrastructure.
On the other hand, the ship's captain, Jan Wolnik, claims that they still plan to reach Gaza — a distance of about 3,000 km — as early as September or October at the latest. "For the children in Gaza," he claimed. Until the ship is released or repaired, the flotilla members plan to demonstrate as close as possible to the damaged pier, with members of the organization "Students for Palestine" also participating in the protest.
