Israel vows to block aid ships to Gaza

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=127717§ionid=351020202



Israeli authorities have warned that they would block a contingent of aid ships carrying construction materials and humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza.

"Ships that make their own way to Gaza don't do anything to help the people there," Yigal Palmor, a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, claimed on Tuesday.

Israeli authorities said the cargo vessels would be stopped before they could reach the Gaza Strip. Any activists aboard the ships would be arrested, according to Israeli media.

Despite the threat, all the activists are determined to complete their mission, reported Press TV correspondent Hassan Ghani, who is accompanying the convoy.

"If Israel attacks any of these ships, they arrest anybody, it will be in breach of international law," the Press TV correspondent added.

Nine vessels from Turkey, Ireland, Britain and Greece -- called the Freedom Flotilla -- set sail to reach Gaza on Wednesday evening.

The Freedom Flotilla convoy is carrying thousands of tons of construction material, medical equipment and school supplies, as well as around 750 activists.

Meanwhile, Turkey has threatened Israel that any move to block the fleet was sure to face a response.

Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza, depriving some 1.5 million Palestinians of fuel, food, clothing, medicine and other necessities since 2007.