Solidarity Ships To Sail To Gaza

Thursday September 09, 2010 10:06 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Deeb Hijazi, coordinator of the National Initiative Committee Against the Siege, based on Lebanon, stated that four flotillas will be sailing to Gaza on September 18.

File - Solidairty Ship

Hijazi said that the “Artery of Life 5” will be sailing on September 18, as this date marks the 28th anniversary of the Sabra and Shatilla massacres in Lebanon in 1982.

He stated that the first flotilla will be launched from London, the second from Morocco, the third from the Arab Peninsula, and the fourth from Asia.

The ships will carry humanitarian and medical supplies, in addition to dozens of supporters from several countries, mainly from Asia.

On May 31, the Israeli Navy commandos violently boarded and attacked Mavi Marmara Turkish ship of the Freedom Flotilla that was heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies, killed nine peace activists and wounded several others, some seriously.

Israel claimed that the ships “attempted to violate the naval siege on the Hamas-led government in Gaza”, and justified its deadly attack on the ships and the activists.

Israel considers any attempt to break its illegal siege on more than 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza as an act that harms its security, and as an act that shows support to the Hamas movement, the ruling party in Gaza.

More than 275 patients, including infants and children, died due to the siege imposed on Gaza, while hundreds could face the same fate as Gaza hospitals and medical centers run out of basic supplies.

Although Israel claimed it would allow urgent humanitarian supplies into Gaza, the situation remains dire and far from any positive development.

international | gaza siege | news report saed at imemc dot org