Battle developments | Temporary ceasefire; Israel's attack on the "Handhala" ship and the death of regime soldiers in a tunnel ambush

Pars Today – The soldiers of the Israeli occupying regime attacked the "Handhala" ship in the waters near Gaza, preventing human rights activists from entering the area—an action that was met with strong reactions from Palestinian groups and international condemnation.

According to Pars Today, as the Israeli occupying regime's forces attacked the "Handhala" ship in the waters near Gaza, the regime's army also admitted to new casualties in clashes with Palestinian resistance. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv witnessed massive protests calling for an end to the war. This news report covers the latest developments in West Asia, which you can read below:

Israeli army attacks the "Handhala" ship; Interception of the 37th global mission to break the Gaza blockade

Israeli forces stormed the deck of the "Handhala" ship, once again preventing international human rights activists from entering Gaza to break the blockade of the besieged enclave. The Israeli regime's military attacked and seized control of the "Handhala" ship as it was heading toward the shores of the Gaza Strip in an attempt to break the 17-year-long blockade. 

The ship was carrying 21 international activists of various nationalities, including members of European parliaments, artists, and journalists, as part of the global "Freedom Flotilla Coalition" campaign to end the siege on Gaza. The "Handhala" is the 37th vessel from the Freedom Flotilla that has sailed toward the blockaded and war-torn region since 2007, aiming to challenge the Zionist regime's blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli commando raid on the "Handhala" ship in waters near Gaza has sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinian factions. Resistance groups and official Palestinian institutions strongly denounced the Israeli military's assault on the aid vessel, describing it as an act of blatant piracy and a gross violation of international law. 

The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) issued a statement, condemning the Zionist regime's seizure of the "Handhala" aid ship and the abduction of its passengers as "a new act of terrorism and maritime piracy," calling it a blatant challenge to human conscience and global will. 

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) also released a statement, labeling the attack a clear act of aggression, stating: 

"The assault on the Handhala ship is yet another crime by the occupying regime, adding to its long record of attacks against international activists." 

The Palestinian government’s media office in Gaza condemned the raid as "a maritime crime" and held the occupying regime fully responsible for the safety of those on board. 

The incident has drawn sharp international criticism, with calls for accountability over Israel's repeated interceptions of humanitarian missions attempting to break the 17-year blockade on Gaza.

Palestinian Resistance deals heavy blow to Israeli army; Soldiers killed in tunnel ambush 

Zionist regime military sources have acknowledged the death of three of their soldiers in an ambush by resistance forces. As the Gaza war enters its 660th day, the occupying Israeli army continues to fall into resistance ambushes and suffer casualties. 

In the latest incident on Saturday, fighters from Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas' military wing) and Saraya Al-Quds (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad) inflicted heavy losses on the Israeli army. The Israeli military news site "Hadshon Loni Kolam" reported, citing Israeli military sources: "Hamas forces emerged from a tunnel and attached an explosive to an armored personnel carrier. The powerful blast killed three soldiers." 

Despite these reports, the Israeli army officially confirmed only one soldier killed from the Golani Brigade and acknowledged six others wounded in the attack. 

Thousands of Zionists protest in Tel Aviv against Gaza war; Demand prisoner exchange deal 

Israeli media reported that thousands of Zionists demonstrated in central Tel Aviv, calling for an end to the war in Gaza and demanding a comprehensive prisoner exchange agreement. 

The Hebrew-language newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth wrote: "Zionist protesters marched from the headquarters of the Israeli ministry of war toward the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv." 

The demonstration included families of Zionist captives held in Gaza, who carried signs demanding an end to the war and the return of their imprisoned relatives. 

Israeli army announces one-day ceasefire in Gaza 

The occupying Israeli army announced on Saturday evening a humanitarian pause and temporary suspension of military operations in certain densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip. According to Israel's Channel 12, this decision followed a phone conversation between prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the minister of war, the minister of foreign affairs, and senior security officials. 

A high-ranking official stated that the ceasefire would begin at 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 27, and last until the end of the day. An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that troops were prepared for temporary halts in populated zones but emphasized that the war would not end. 

MG