ISRAEL MURDERS CIVILIANS ON FLOTILLA

So far hearing between 10-25 murdrered by armed israeli terrorists who boarded the ships in international waters. WAR CRIME!!! below you can see video frmo the Turkish shiip of some of the murders and chaos as the terrorists attacked them. Worldwide protests happening today

FLOTILLA UPDATE SUNDAY 30 MAY

Well, bad news folks. Here's my prediction;The Zionist have had a major victory already, they have managed to separate the important passengers, the dignitaries, the politicians, the famous people, from the Flotilla. Using Cyprus as their agent. Without these people Israel has more opportunity to be, shall we say "less welcoming" and "less fearful" of both attacking the boats and claiming all sorts of things about the passengers! Far easier for them to attack the ships without Politicians on board who can then go home and report to their respective countries of the treatment Israel handed out to the flotilla. So, no dignitaries or politicians to witness Israel's upcoming acts of aggression!

So now Israel must deal with all those journalists on board transmitting to news channels and live streaming internet sites. No worries, they have a plan. The Zionists will use electronic warfare to disable all transmissions and satellite navigation on the Flotilla, leaving them dead in the water, much like the USS Liberty! Journalists won't be able to report or transmit from the ships. Israel can do what it likes in secret. Then they will begin the attempts to board the flotilla, once they are sure all the transmissions are jammed so the world can't see what they are doing! Then everyone will be taken to the newly built concentration camp where they will be searched by soldiers and dogs, along with being threatened. I expect all cameras will be confiscated, film destroyed, as Israel will make every attempt to keep any videos or photos hidden or destroyed, again covering up their crimes.

today's update:

The Cypriot Govt has acted as an Israeli agent, in conjunction with Israel, to sabotage the Flotilla, laying a devastating blow indeed. All the major players, the dignitaries like Hedy Epstein, and the Parliamentarians, including Irish Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on social and family affairs, housing, justice and international affairs, along with Chris Andrews TD Fianna Fáil, Senator Mark Daly Fianna Fáil were to board smaller boats to be taken to the larger flotilla passenger boat at sea. Here's what happened, followed by more updates:

Saturday, May 29, 2010

After tremendous pressure from the Greek Cypriots, reneging on their agreement with us http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/cyprus-stops-mps-joining-gaza-flotilla/20100529, we were forced to take our MPs and activists to Famagusta yesterday, on the Turkish/Cypriot side of Cyprus. We spent all day going from one port to the next, surrounded by helicopters and police. Clearly our deal with Cyprus officials had fallen through, and we ended up being pawns in a political soap opera. The Cypriot members of Parliament, the ones who had worked so hard to get us permission to leave, were outraged. The Greek Parliament members finally told us to go to the North. If they could, they would. The Cypriot government said they made their decision because, “The Republic of Cyprus is fighting for its survival” but it didn’t bow to pressure from Israel. As they said this, they bowed their heads.
We made a deal with the Cypriot government that we would board our high-profile passengers and members of Parliament from Cyprus. We would board with no media coverage. We would not bring our boats into Cyprus. We would take small boats out to our own ships and board past the 12-mile territorial limit.

Authorities mandated that we couldn’t even do that, essentially telling us that, even if we board small boats anywhere in Greek Cyprus from any port, we could not travel outside their territorial limits to go to Gaza. Twenty-seven people were supposed to board, including 9 Cypriots and two Greeks. None of them could come with us as we went North.

It has taken us all day to find someone on the Turkish side to ferry some of our passengers out to the flotilla who have been patiently waiting five hours away from Cyprus. At 6:00 pm, 20 of our passengers left for the flotilla, and the Swedish MP and the three German MPs are on board. Hedy is not, and we are heartsick that, once again, she will not be able to go to Gaza. source

Then this morning we heard this:

Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD Sinn Féin and Chris Andrews TD Fianna Fáil plus Senator Mark Daly Fianna Fáil headed home yesterday when organisers said group wouldn’t succeed in joining flotilla because of Cypriot gov actions. Police Helicopters, boats, plainclothes police along with port security were used to stop the group embarking. Turkish authorities didn’t seem willing to facilitate leaving from Famagusta late Friday. However,since then, some have managed to get out using one of the damaged boats to try to link up with flotilla. Ádh mór to them.

Additionally, more Irish have been given the treatment by Cyprus, at Israels behest:

Cypriot police stop the boat "Challenger 1"

The Challenger 1, Free Gaza passenger boat among the Freedom Flotilla, while holding for the other boats to join, close to Cyprus waters, has been contacted via radio by a Cypriot Police Helicopter. This video is recording the conversation. May 28th, 2010 Shane Dillon (Mate on Challenger 1) commented :
"it is rather shocking that an EU Country refused to let members of another EU Country's Parliament into its port on a humanitarian mission." Watch the video, this is an Irish Crew!! Still more after this:

Also, the dirty warfare has begun, Israel, using electronic warfare has disabled the satellite transmission of the boats and cell phones of people on board for several times briefly. I see this as a practice run for when the Flotilla nears Gazan waters. More after this:

all satellite phones on board had stopped working around 2 am, and said it was an external block placed on the lines.

The IDF had earlier announced it planned to disrupt the boats' communications as part of Israel's efforts to prevent the activists on board from speaking to the press. source

Now, sadly I see what's coming, don't you?

FLOTILLA TOLD BY ISRAEL WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM

Israel lays out the "WELCOME MAT" for the Flotilla


And tells Flotilla members what they can expect when the Israeli pirates come aboard and kidnap them:

1. Thousands of Israeli troops prepare to attack unarmed civilians from 20 countries and members of the European Parliament and one Palestinian member of Israel's parliament, the Knesset from in international waters.

2. Netanyahu told the armed forces to use force, if necessary

3. Navy missile boats and Israeli warships will surround them. Navy commandos wearing black masks to prevent identification as war criminals and murderers, will board the ships and redirect them to Israeli waters

4. "We wish to avoid using force, but the moment that there is danger to the lives of the troops, we will be forced to use live fire as a last resort, " the officer said.

5. After the pirates take over the ships, Israel's "Engineering Corps" and the "Oketz dog unit" will search everyone on board for weapons and explosives.

6. If no weapons or "terrorists" are found, people then be taken to the port of Ashdod, where MORE soldiers and police will escort them to a special Concentration Camp, I mean "registration camp" where they will be detained/imprisoned. (wonder what definiation of “terrorist” Israel will be using, o doubt the one where everyone not supportive of the evil rogue state is considered a so called “terrorist”)

7. After more security checkS AND full body searches, the IDF will register each person and force them to sign a document agreeing to be deported to their country of origin.

8. If you refuse to “Sign zee paper” you will then be given a “medical exam” and immediately transferred to an Israeli prison.

9. Journalists and Diplomats are to be given “special treatment” However, it is noted that "since they will have cameras, there is very great concern about something happening that could endanger the troops''. Yeah, like being caught on camera committing a war crime or beating an innocent person senseless perhaps?

OUTRAGED AT THIS??

Call the news desks at Sky and the BBC now if you would like to support the flotilla. Ask why when dozens of Brit citizens and Irish Citizens are being threatened by Israel and there is nothing carried on their channel?? There's a live feed available for news desks via IHH here. Call NOW you can make a difference! BBC foreign desk: 0044208 624 9111. Sky News desk: 0207 705 3000

ISRAEL CLAIMS IT OWNS GAZA~NEVER WITHDREW

Avigdor Lieberman the neanderthal throw back and missing human chromosome bigot, makes a startling claim of sovereignty over Gaza and proves Israel has never withdrawn. He says:

link Hours before its arrival, the foreign minister lashes out at the Gaza flotilla. Avigdor Lieberman said Friday afternoon that "the flotilla is an attempt at violent propaganda against Israel, and Israel will not allow a violation of its sovereignty at sea, in the air, or on land."

For those that "don't get it" I'll explain; He said that "Israel" will not allow a violation of "it's" sovereignty at "sea, in the air, or on land." Now, here's the problem, this flotilla is at no time touching ANY Israeli waters, land or air. They are, however, traveling through legally recognised international waters, then directly into Gazan waters, to then disembark onto Gazan soil, under Gazan air. So effectively Lieberman, the Foreign Minister of the Israeli Government, who is speaking FOR the Government, has just laid Israeli claim to Gaza. So, if we are to believe Lieberman's statement then Israeli never withdrew FROM Gaza. See???

ISRAEL TO BE SUED

Brussels, May 28, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - The European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza (ECESG), which is based in Brussels, has strongly condemned the Israeli Government’s decision to seize the eight vessels making up the “Freedom Flotilla” that is heading for Gaza Strip and to arrest all the more than 750 supporters onboard. ECESG views the decision as an escalation that will have grave consequences.

Anouar Gharbi, member of the campaign and president of the Swiss Rights for All Association, a member of the Freedom Flotilla coalition, said, “The Israeli party acts as if it is waging a military war against another army, particularly after orders have been issued from the political leadership to the military to intercept the Freedom Flotilla, and use force against it in order to prevent its arrival to the shores of Gaza. He invited the international community to take action to protect the humanitarian international flotilla.

Gharbi, in response to new Israeli threats, stressed that foreign supporters, including European parliamentarians taking part in the flotilla, “have declared their determination to resist any piracy attempt that they may face at the hands of the Israeli occupation, affirming that all scenarios have been taken into account and that plans have been made to confront it.”

The president of the Swiss Rights for All Association pointed out that in case the Israeli side seized the flotilla ships and arrested supporters on their board, it would be taken to European and Swiss courts. According to him, “ECESG will assist in this process.”

He explains that the plans developed to confront an interception of the flotilla include, inter alia, the organization of demonstrations in major European capitals in front of Israeli embassies, in coordination with civil society organizations supporting the Palestinian cause, in addition to a series of protest sit-ins and other actions in many Western countries, particularly those participating in the Freedom Flotilla.

He went on to say that “organizers of the Freedom Flotilla have developed plans of action to use in the light of the scenarios expected to take place, particularly in view of the Israeli threat to use force so as to prevent the flotilla from achieving its humanitarian objective, i.e. the delivery of the more than 10,000 tons of aid to the population of Gaza who have been besieged for the fourth consecutive year.”

The Freedom Flotilla consists of eight ships: a Turkish- and Kuwaiti-flagged cargo ship funded by Kuwait, a cargo ship funded by Algeria, a cargo ship funded by Sweden and Greece and a fourth Irish cargo ship belonging to the “Free Gaza” movement, in addition to 4 passenger ships, including one called Boat 8000, in reference to the number of Palestinian detainees in prisons of the Israeli occupation and the Turkish passenger ship which is the largest.

The flotilla had to accept no more than 750 participants from more than 40 countries although it had received many more applications. Participants will include 44 European and Arab political officials and parliamentarians, including 10 Algerians members of parliament.

Vessels of the flotilla carry more than 10,000 tons of aid material, including medical supplies, building materials, wood, 100 prefabricated houses to help accommodate the tens of thousands of Gaza population whose homes have been destroyed in the Israeli war against Gaza in early 2009. It also carries 500 electric wheelchairs for physically-handicapped persons, given the fact that the last war has caused the incapacitation of some 600 people. source

GUNS AND CONCENTRATION CAMPS AT THE READY

Israel is currently building a massive white tented concentration camp where they will forcibly take 800 people, from many countries, including Parliamentarians, off their humanitarian boats, sailing on International waters. Israel has 40 buses standing by for transport to the Concentration Camp. Those who refuse to board the trains to the Camps,


I mean the buses to the camps, will be jailed. The Zionists will take the Passengers to the "camp" for QUOTE "identification and medical attention."

And Chemical toilets have been set-up and tents housing immigration booths and areas for people to be searched.

But that's not all, Israel says it is QUOTE "prepared for a military confrontation if necessary" now theres a surprise! Israel using military force against civilians, imagine that!! Remember British Citizen Tom Herndall

link Israel set up three massive white tents at its main southern seaport on Thursday to hold hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists who hope to breach Israel's 3-year blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The activists are headed toward Gaza's waters on board a flotilla carrying 10,000 tons of supplies. Israel says it won't let the eight boats reach Gaza's shores, and that it will deport or imprison the activists aboard.

The military said it would divert the boats to the Israeli port at Ashdod, where the activists will be taken into the tents for identification and medical attention.

Officials said 40 buses will be on hand to ferry them to Israel's international airport for deportation or to a nearby prison if they refuse to be deported voluntarily.

"We want to do this as quick and efficiently as possible," said Maya Kadosh, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

Israeli authorities said they will make every effort to avoid using force, but they were prepared for a military confrontation if necessary.

Israel claims it no longer occupies Gaza, that it withdrew in 2005. Yet Israel controls all aspects and blocks international humanitarian aid from traveling to Gaza or entering Gaza via open international waters. Israeli Lies Exposed again!

FLOTILLA MOVING~ISRAEL PLANS ARRESTS

Few things to report today. First these most recent updates:

1. Following a Press Conference in Turkey this morning, the Flotilla will set sail in a few hours.


2. Freedom Flotilla is on the move, Challenger 1 & 2 left Crete this morning our MV Rachel Corrie is on her way, Turkish ships have left the port.

Next this:

link The Freedom Flotilla to Gaza, which includes 11 Irish people, expects to arrive at it's destination within 48 hours despite Israel's vow to block the mission from delivering much needed aid to the beleaguered coastal strip. A forum of seven senior Israeli ministers who met on Wednesday 26th May have decided that the Israeli Navy will enforce a twenty mile exclusion zone around Gaza and will arrest all 800 crew and passengers taking part in the Freedom Flotilla should they pursue their mission to break the ongoing siege of Gaza.

INFORMATION ON THE IRISH PARTICIPANTS

Denis Halliday was born in Dublin in 1941 and educated at Trinity College Dublin. He is a former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed him to the post of United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq as of 1 September 1997, at the Assistant Secretary-General level, and he served as such until the end of September 1998. He resigned from the post in Iraq and from the United Nations as a whole effective 31 October 1998 after serving the organisation since mid 1964 - some 34 years. He has been a strong opponent of the US/UK-led war in Iraq.

Mairead Maguire, Nobel peace prize laureate, was co-founder of the Community of Peace People for a peaceful resolution of the Northern Ireland conflict. She has been to Palestine several times defending the human rights. In April 2007, she was wounded by the Israeli army while non-violently protesting with Palestinians against the apartheid wall in the village of Bil'in. This will be her third trip to Gaza on board one of the Free Gaza boats.

Derek Graham is from Ballina in County Mayo. He has been a qualified electrician for 20 years. He was a member of the reserve defence forces in Ireland for 21 years and was the first member of the reserves to make the Army sailing team. He has been sailing all of his life and is a crew member on the MV Rachel Corrie. He has participated in many previous Free Gaza boat trips to Gaza and has been on four of the five voyages that landed in Gaza. He is married to Jenny, who is also on the MV Rachel Corrie.

Jenny Graham is from County Mayo and is a member of the Free Gaza Movement. She has participated in previous boat trips to Gaza and is a member of the crew of the MV Rachel Corrie. She is married to Derek Graham.

Shane Dillon is a Dublin-based Irish seafarer who has served as Chief Officer on Irish and British merchant ships. He has sailed on numerous leisure craft on transatlantic trips and in European waters. He is part of the crew of the MV Rachel Corrie.

Caoimhe Butterly (born 1978) is a Dublin-born Irish human rights activist, who has worked with AIDS victims in Zimbabwe, the homeless in New York, and with Zapatistas in Mexico as well as more recently in the Middle East and Haiti. In 2002, during an Israeli attack in Jenin, she was shot by an Israeli soldier. She spent 16 days inside the compound where Yasser Arafat was besieged in Ramallah. She was described by Time magazine as one of their Europeans of the Year in 2003. Butterly is a pacifist who is a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), an organisation that seeks non-violent alternatives to armed intifada by mobilising international civil society. She is a coordinator with the Free Gaza Movement.

Fintan Lane is a writer and historian. He is a member of the National Committee of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Originally from Cork, he now lives in Chapelizod in Dublin. He graduated with a PhD in history from University College, Cork and is the author/editor of seven books on modern Irish history; he has also contributed many articles and reviews to academic history journals. He was the Editor of Saothar, the scholarly journal of Irish labour history, for several years.

Senator Mark Daly is a Fianna Fáil member of Senead Eireann from County Kerry. He was elected as one of the youngest members of the 23rd Senate in the 2007 election and has been active in community affairs and local politics since college. He was born in Kerry in 1973 and holds a Diploma in Property Valuation from Dublin Institute of Technology and a B.Sc. in Management from Greenwich University, London.

Chris Andrews TD (born 25 May 1964) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South East constituency. He was first elected to the Dáil at the 2007 general election.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh Sinn Fein TD is a native Irish speaker who was born in Dublin in 1964. Aengus is married to Aisling and has three children. He was first elected in 2002 to the Dáil (Irish parliament) and re-elected in 2007. He is Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on social and family affairs, housing, justice and international affairs. He travelled by boat in November 2008 to Gaza which was (and still is) under siege by Israel.

Fiachra Ó Luain is from County Donegal. He is an Irish peace activist and was an independent candidate in the North-West constituency in the 2009 European elections. He was compelled to become a candidate upon watching the massacres of Israel’s ‘Operation Cast Lead’. He is a member of the Free Gaza Movement

ISRAEL’S STRANGE BEHAVIOUR ON FLOTILLA TO GAZA

Amazing the odd tactics Israel has attempted in the last two weeks with regards to the Flotilla coming to Gaza. First they threaten the ministers of the various countries, Turkey, UK, Ireland, Sweden, etc. Telling them to call back their dignitaries. Then they suddenly allow some trucks into Gaza with a little humanitarian aid, to which 4 days later they are using as propaganda, telling the world there is no need for the flotilla because Israel allowed "some" aid into Gaza. Next they get creative, and build their own little flotilla of racist bigot boats, that were decorated pleasure boats with insulting signs, then sailed them past the flotilla in protest. I must admit, that one made me laugh. All the while telling the world the flotilla will not be allowed into Gaza, no way, no how.

Then Turkey enters the fray and tells Israel "if they touch the boats there will be reprisals" And just yesterday, Israel suddenly allows some cement and building supplies into Gaza for the FIRST time, but not really to help the people there. Because you see those supplies go directly to UNWRA and can only be used on UNWRA buildings, the ones Israel destroyed on purpose. But none of that small bit of supplies can be used to help rebuild any of the thousands of homes Israel also destroyed on purpose. But they made this move so that they can use the propaganda of allowing a bit of cement into Gaza in light of the Flotilla which has tons of cement which WILL be distributed to help people rebuild homes. And this brings us to today, the latest Israeli plan. To offer Turkey some deal to stop the flotilla. Not to worry, Turkey has told them to p-off. More after this:

link Turkey rejects Israeli deal on Gaza sail. Israel offers to take humanitarian aid into Strip in exchange for calling off of 'Break the Siege' sail

The state propositioned Turkey to transfer its humanitarian aid equipment to Ashdod, from where it would be taken by the UN and international organizations into the Strip, under Israel's supervision.

In exchange for transferring the equipment to Gaza, Israel asked that Turkey call off the sail to the Strip, however the latter rejected the offer.

Major General Eitan Dangot, coordinator of government activities in the (Palestinian) territories, suggested the deal to the Turkish ambassador recently, who said Turkey was not responsible for the sail.

One other thing to note, notice in that article above how Israel is trying to disassociate Turkey from the "blame" of this flotilla, interesting that. My take would be this; Israel is trying to "stroke" Turkey and say it's not your fault this evil flotilla is going to Gaza, just do as we ask and all will be fine. Trouble is, Turkey is one of the main organisers and that involvement comes from high levels within Turkey. But still this is Israel already publicly attempting to separate Turkey out, so that Israel will not create any diplomatic row with Turkey over the Flotilla, which I do find interesting indeed. As it tells me Israel won't go toe to toe with Turkey over this Flotilla, but rather plans to blame everyone else in order to protect whats left of it's diplomatic ties with Turkey in the region. This is very telling. Could it be that with all the enemies Israel has created it is now worried about creating more amongst the ones it still has some shakey ties to? And, if I remember correctly, Egypt came out in support of Turkey recently and was not going to be happy if Israel attacked the Turkish boats. So all of this makes me wonder if Israel will turn back all the boats but let the Turkish one though. Time will tell where this goes, but Israel's actions over this flotilla so far have certainly not been normal for Israel.

LIES, LIBERTY AND AID TO GAZA

Hey good people, do we all remember the stunning announcement by the ZOF last week? Here is a reminder:

link Over 14,000 tons of humanitarian aid were transferred from Israel into the Gaza Strip last week, the IDF announced on Tuesday in its weekly summary of COGAT operations.

"A total of 637 truckloads, consisting of 14,069 tons of humanitarian aid, were transferred into the Gaza Strip from Israel via the various crossings," read a statement by the IDF Spokesperson.

So why did they suddenly allow all this “aid” into Gaza only 4 days ago?? Did they suddenly have a pang of humanity spread through them? Did they decide to start helping the civilians who are suffering? Did they decide to join the human race? Nah, it served a purpose for Israel, as usual.. It was merely a pre-planned stunt to be used as an excuse to stop the flotilla. Notice 2nd paragraph:

link The IDF is gearing up to stop a flotilla of aid ships that is directed at breaking the blockade on the Gaza Strip next week.

While the Free Gaza movement claims that the flotilla is needed to provide Palestinians in Gaza with basic supplies, the IDF pointed out on Tuesday that it had, in the past week, allowed over 14,000 tons of supplies into the Gaza Strip.

On Monday night, Foreign Ministry officials met with ambassadors from Turkey, Greece, Ireland and Sweden and informed them that the ships would be stopped on their way to the Gaza Strip

And when reading the evil Zionist comments under this article I found an interesting exchange between a Zionist and an American regarding the USS Liberty:

First the Zionist murder supporter who calls for more murders of Americans on the Flotilla:

6. Breaking into Gaza
• Author: Isaac
• Country:
• 20/05/2010 06:20

What shame these people bring on their own Western cultures. Its a clear case of anti-semitism in the form of anti-Israelism. If they break any barriers, shoot-down the ships after sufficient warnings. Remember that during the Six-Day War, the USS Liberty suddenly appeared outside the shores of Israel. It was loaded with electronic gear and was listening and recording Israel's troop movements and passing them onto Syria and Egypt. MI-6 was behind the whole operation. After being given sufficient warning by the IAF, it was shot down on the orders of Moshe Dayan. Ehud Barak has to do the same.

Answer by an American Patriot:

9. #6
• Author: fred
• Country: USA
• 20/05/2010 07:45

Well all these years Israel told us that the USS Liberty attack was an accident and was mistaken for an Egypt ship. Now your telling me that it was no mistake but was intentional. Well thats news. The crew that survived that attack also thinks it was intentional too. I will pass on your information. They would love to get justice for the suffering they have endured for decades. By the way they were in international waters and they had no hebrew speaking person on the ship. You would think they would of had one if they were "passing" information to Syria or Egypt. Oh they were never sunk.......but 34 of them were murdered by the State of Israel.

POINT, SCORE, FOR THE AMERICAN!! And speaking of the crime and murder of men aboard the USS Liberty. Check out who is going on this flotilla from America. Perhaps Israel wants to kill more of them because the ones who lived dare to speak out against Israel murdering in cold blood their fellow American soldiers onboard the Liberty that day:

link Participating in the FPM delegation will be:
• Joe Meadors, a decorated Navy veteran and one of the survivors of the 1967 attack on the U.S.S. Liberty, in which Israeli fighter planes and ships killed 34 Americans and wounded 173;

HERE WE GO FOLKS, ISRAEL GETTING READY

The rogue state has been plotting and planning, you knew this was coming and here it is:

QUOTE;"Israel will stop the Flotilla of Boats to Gaza At any Price" They are not content in getting rid of Rachel Corrie once, they will now get rid of the "Rachel Corrie" Irish Cargo ship named after her, carrying aid to Gaza from Ireland in the Flotilla.

link Washington - The Israeli Navy is allegedly training to seize the eight-boat "Freedom Flotilla," which is scheduled to reach Gaza shores May 24, Ma'an News Agency reported Wednesday.

The boats will be loaded with prefabricated homes, cement, and medicine and will be accompanied by 600 individuals in a bid to break the siege on Gaza," Ma'an said.

Arabic-language news station Al-Hurra reported:

About half of the Israeli naval forces will participate in an operation that was approved by the cabinet. [Israeli] Defense Minister Ehud Barak will supervise the operation.

Israel will prevent the boats from reaching Gaza "at any price," an Israeli security source told Ma'an.

The largest-ever sea convoy aimed at breaking the Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip will take off for the coastal enclave in three phases, IMEMC reported last week.

Palestinian legislator and Popular Committee Against the Siege chairman Jamal El Khodary said at a press conference last Thursday that the first ship in the convoy will leave Ireland for Greece May 12. Eight ships will sail from Greece to Turkey on May 22, and those ships are set to reach Cyprus May 26. The entire convoy will sail to Gaza May 27.

El Khodary said the Free Gaza Movement "Freedom Flotilla" is determined to sail to Gaza's shore no matter what, and he said the ships will be outfitted with sufficient supplies should they be surrounded by the Israeli Navy.

Free Gaza cofounder Mary Hughes Thompson said of the May voyage:

“Although we were happy with the first trips, it was bitter-sweet, knowing that our small boats and symbolic amounts of relief paled in comparison to what was really needed in Gaza. Now, we finally feel we are helping to organize a powerful action, one with the potential to translate into a sustained campaign of much more effective challenges to Israel's brutal siege.”

The heart of the convoy will be a cargo ship sponsored by donors from Malaysia and outfitted with cargo form Ireland, Scotland and Britain among others countries.