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Palestinian Aid Flotilla Getting Set to Approach Gaza

   VOA News 29 May 2010
   Palestinian fishermen prepare their boat ahead of the expected arrival
   of  a flotilla of hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists trying to sail
   into the Gaza Strip, in Gaza city, 28 May 2010

Photo: AP

   Palestinian fishermen prepare their boat ahead of the expected arrival
   of  a flotilla of hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists trying to sail
   into the Gaza Strip, in Gaza city, 28 May 2010

   Pro-Palestinian  activists are pressing on with plans to land a convoy
   of  ships  on  the  Gaza  Strip  Sunday  despite  technical delays and
   warnings from the Israeli navy.
   The  flotilla,  carrying  10,000  tons  of  humanitarian  supplies and
   hundreds of activists, was off the coast of Cyprus Saturday, preparing
   for departure.
   The  aid  mission  has been delayed by complications.  Organizers say
   technical  problems  have  reduced  the  flotilla  from eight ships to
   five.   They  are also having a hard time arranging to get a group of
   European legislators on board the ships.
   Israel's  deputy  foreign  minister, Danny Ayalon, reiterated Saturday
   that  the  military  will not allow the ships to reach the Palestinian
   territory.  He has called the aid mission a provocation.
   The  activists  are seeking to circumvent a blockade on the Gaza Strip
   that  Israel and Egypt put in place in 2007 after the Islamic militant
   group Hamas took control of the territory.
   The  Hamas leader in Gaza, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, welcomed the
   expected shipment for challenging the blockade.
   During an appearance at the port where the ships hope to land, Haniyeh
   said the mission would be a victory for the territory.
   Israeli authorities say that while they want to minimize violence, the
   navy  will  intercept  the  ships  once they enter Israeli territorial
   waters  and  tow the vessels to the port of Ashdod.  From there it is
   expected that any foreign nationals aboard will be deported.
   The  United  Nations  has called on all of the parties involved in the
   dispute to exercise restraint.
   The aid convoy left from Mediterranean ports in Europe and Turkey over
   the  past  week.  Activists on board include human-rights workers and
   lawmakers from a several European countries.
   Meanwhile,  witnesses  say  the Israeli military fired six missiles at
   targets in the Gaza Strip Saturday.  Five targeted Gaza's south, near
   the border with Egypt, while a sixth struck east of Gaza City.
   No one was hurt in the attacks.

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