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Rabat – Moroccan journalist Mohamed El Bakkali has arrived in Morocco today following his release by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).
El Bakkali has been among the activists and journalists detained in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the Gaza-bound Handala ship, seeking to assist Palestinians suffering from a genocidal starvation strategy launched by the IOF for months.
Several people wearing the keffiyeh and waving Moroccan flags welcomed the Moroccan journalist at the Mohammed VI Airport in Casablanca upon his arrival.
During his reception, he expressed gratitude to Moroccans for their solidarity following his arrest.
On Monday, the journalist’s brother, Mustapha El Bakkali, confirmed that Mohamed El Bakkali arrived at the Paris airport evening following his release.
“Thank God, welcome back among us, hero,” El Bakkali’s brother wrote on X.
El Bakkali, a correspondent for Al Jazeera, has earned international support, demanding an international intervention to end his and other activists’ detention.
Many have joined an online campaign, calling on the Moroccan government to intervene to guarantee his release.
On Monday evening, activists who were on board the Gaza-bound Handala aid ship refused to sign documents related to forced deportation.
Several reports said the activists decided to continue their open-ended hunger strike.
Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said on Tuesday that Chris Smalls, a human rights defender from the US, was “physically assaulted by seven ununiformed individuals.”
“They choked him and kicked him in the legs, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back,” the organization said.
The Handala ship sought to reach Gaza, which is facing a catastrophic famine staged by the IOF, which has been carrying out a genocidal war on civilians in the region since October 2023.
Since Tuesday’s dawn, the IOF has killed at least 62 civilians, including 19 aid seekers.
This adds up to a death toll that reached 59,921 citizens, as well as 145,233 others wounded.
