Israel 'Preparing to Stop' Gaza-Bound Aid Ship
VOA News
13 July 2010
The Israeli military says it is preparing to stop a Libyan aid ship from reaching the Gaza Strip in defiance of a naval blockade on the territory.
Military spokesmen said Israel contacted the vessel on Tuesday, and organizers of the aid mission said the ship captain and others confirmed they are heading for Gaza.
Officials in Israel said they will take steps to intercept the ship before it reaches Gaza.
The Libyan foundation sponsoring the aid shipment did not indicate whether the vessel will comply with an Israeli navy request to change course.
The ship is due to reach Gaza by Wednesday.
Israeli officials are trying to convince the Libyan ship to unload its cargo in the nearby Egyptian port of El-Arish.
The latest attempt to breach Israel's blockade comes six weeks after Israeli commandos intercepted another aid flotilla, killing nine pro-Palestinian activists and sparking international outrage. Israel says its forces acted in self-defense after passengers on the aid ship attacked them.
Since the fatal encounter in May, global pressure has forced Israel to ease its land blockade on Gaza to allow in goods that do not have a potential military use. Israel says the blockade is intended to prevent Hamas and other Palestinian militants from smuggling weapons into the territory.
The latest aid voyage is sponsored by a charity headed by the son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. The Moldovan-flagged ship, the Amalthea, is carrying 2,000 tons of food and medical supplies and about 10 activists in addition to the crew.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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