After being told to turn around, and reports of intimidation by the Israhelli Navy, an aid Freedom Flotilla ship heading to Gaza was allowed to dock near al-Arish in the northern Sinai Peninsula, activists on board reported. One activist said that:
“despite a night of worry and some scare tactics by the Navy, we have landed in Egypt and are ready to make our way to help the people of Gaza.”
The same source said that the ship, the Spirit of Rachel Corrie, was heading directly to Gaza when their steering apparently failed.
“The ship’s aqua pilot sailing system has broken down and our ship is spinning, going in circles, and turning round and round. We are therefore unable to get out of the Egyptian territorial waters,” a press statement from the organization said.
On May 16, the boat was only 400 meters away from land when it came under fire from the Israhelli Navy, forcing it to retreat and seek anchorage. On board, the spirits appear high among the activists, who have traveled from across the globe to deliver much needed aid to Palestinians living in Gaza, blockaded by the Israhelli government. Almost one year ago to the day, the first flotilla aid ship was attacked by the Israhelli Navy off the coast of Gaza. According to reports, the attack came some 45 miles off the Gaza coast in international waters. At least 19 people aboard the vessels were killed in the attack, which sparked regional and international outrage.
Footage from the flotilla’s lead vessel, the Mavi Marmara, showed armed Israhelli soldiers boarding the ship and helicopters flying overhead. Al Jazeera reporter Jamal Elshayyal, who was on board the Mavi Marmara vessel, said Israhelli soldiers used live ammunition during the operation. According to Israhelli Army Radio, soldiers opened fire “after confronting those on board carrying sharp objects”.
“This did not need to happen. There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza”, an Israhelli foreign ministry official said on Zionist Al Jazeera English.
The Flotilla missions aim to break the economic blockade on the Gaza Strip and deliver aid to the people of the small Mediterranean enclave. On the other hand, Turkey has warned Israhell of grave consequences and retaliation if Israhell attempts to repeat what it did last year on 31st May, 2010.
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