Israeli Navy says it is ready to stop new Gaza-bound flotilla

Israeli Navy says it is ready to stop new Gaza-bound flotilla

2011-11-03 08:05:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

TEL AVIV (BNO NEWS) -- The Israeli Navy on Wednesday said it is prepared to intercept two boats which are heading toward the Gaza Strip with the intention of breaking the Israeli blockade of the region.

The two "Freedom Waves to Gaza" ships, one Canadian vessel called the "Tahrir" and one Irish vessel called the "Saoirse", left Turkey on Wednesday afternoon. The preparations for the flotilla were kept low profile until the boats reached international waters to avoid Israeli action to stop it.

The vessel the "Tahrir" is carrying twelve Canadian, American, Australian and Palestinian passengers while the "Saoirse" is carrying 15 Irish passengers. The activists, who are also accompanied by reporters from news outlets including Al Jazeera and Iranian television, said that no particular organization is behind the new effort to sail to Gaza.

"The Israel Navy has completed the necessary preparations in order to prevent them from reaching the Gaza Strip," a spokesperson for the Israeli Navy said. "The purpose of this attempt is to create a provocation against the State of Israel, to break the maritime security blockade on Gaza, and to undermine Israel's security."

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) estimated that the ships will arrive near the Gaza Strip between Thursday night and early Friday morning. The Israeli Navy intends to radio the ships and offer them to dock and unload equipment at the Israeli port in Ashdod or in an Egyptian port.

"It should be stated that any organization or state who wishes to transfer humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip can do so via the existing land crossings and in coordination with the Israeli authorities," the navy said. The IDF also warned that it will take "any necessary action" to prevent the ships from breaking the blockade.

In May 2010, nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed and dozens more were injured when Israeli commandos boarded a ship participating in the 'Freedom Flotilla I', which was heading to the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid on board. The incident caused global outrage over alleged excessive force, but Israel has denied that and said its commandos were being attacked.

Following the incident, Turkey withdrew its Ambassador to Israel and suspended joint military exercises, as well as banning any Israeli military aircraft from entering its national airspace.

The most recent flotilla attempt in July 2011 did not reach Gaza shores.

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