Israel vows more attacks on aid ships

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=128605§ionid=351020202



defiant Israel downplays international condemnations of its deadly raid against a Gaza-bound aid convoy, vowing to prevent all aid ships trying to break the Gaza siege.

"We will not let any ships reach Gaza and supply what has become a terrorist base threatening the heart of Israel," AFP quoted Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai as saying on Tuesday.

The remarks came in response to an announcement by organizers of Gaza Freedom Flotilla, saying they intended to send two more aid boats to Gaza, despite Israel's deadly naval operation.

The commando raid killed some 20 people accompanying the six-ship fleet and left more than 50 others wounded, according to Palestinian sources.

Israel's Army Radio reported that the MV Rachel Corrie, a converted merchant ship, would reach Gazan waters by Wednesday.

An unnamed Israeli marine lieutenant told the radio in an interview that he expected an easy takeover of the ship, saying the Israeli forces would be "ready" for the Rachel Corrie, Reuters reported.

Israel's latest threat comes as a slap in the face of sharp criticism and envoy-summonings against Israel across the world, particularly in Muslim nations where a seething anti-Israeli sentiment erupted into angry street rallies.

On Tuesday, Israel announced a decision to hold 480 activists captured on Monday in jail, saying the international campaigners would face prosecution.

The UN Security Council condemned the bloodshed in the Monday's attack and called for the immediate release of the civilians in the Israeli custody.

The 15-nation council also ordered an impartial investigation into the deadly Israeli attack on the freedom flotilla