The Supreme Committee of the "March of the Return" in Gaza announced Sunday that a flotilla would leave from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning, aiming to break Israel's sea blockade of the coastal enclave that was imposed 10 years ago.
The date set for the flotilla coincides with the eight-year anniversary of the Turkish Marmara ship sailing towards Gaza to break the siege. It was raided by Israeli forces before it could reach its destination. Nine activists on board were killed, drawing international condemnation and straining ties with Ankara.
In a press conference held at the port of Gaza City, Supreme Committee member Salah Abd al-Ati said Tuesday’s trip complies with all human rights that ensure the right to travel and transportation.
"Gaza has become the largest isolated prison in the world and it does not receive its minimal rights because of Israel's blockade,” he added.
Abd al-Ati explained that the ships will carry a group of patients, students and unemployed academics away from the Gaza Strip. He called on the United Nations and other international bodies to protect the boat leaving from the enclave run by Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.
Organizers said it would be the first attempt of its kind from the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Israeli troops killed three Palestinians on Sunday when they fired artillery shots at an Islamic Jihad position east of Rafah city in southern Gaza.
The date set for the flotilla coincides with the eight-year anniversary of the Turkish Marmara ship sailing towards Gaza to break the siege. It was raided by Israeli forces before it could reach its destination. Nine activists on board were killed, drawing international condemnation and straining ties with Ankara.
In a press conference held at the port of Gaza City, Supreme Committee member Salah Abd al-Ati said Tuesday’s trip complies with all human rights that ensure the right to travel and transportation.
"Gaza has become the largest isolated prison in the world and it does not receive its minimal rights because of Israel's blockade,” he added.
Abd al-Ati explained that the ships will carry a group of patients, students and unemployed academics away from the Gaza Strip. He called on the United Nations and other international bodies to protect the boat leaving from the enclave run by Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.
Organizers said it would be the first attempt of its kind from the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Israeli troops killed three Palestinians on Sunday when they fired artillery shots at an Islamic Jihad position east of Rafah city in southern Gaza.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health identified the victims as Nassim al-Amour, 25, Hussein al-Amour, 24, and Abdul Haleem al-Naqa, 28. All three are residents of Khan Younes, south of the Strip.
Al-Quds Brigades, the military arm of the Islamic Jihad, announced that two of its members were killed in the attack, vowing retaliation.
The Israeli army announced that the artillery shelling was a response to an explosive device planted on Saturday near the border between Gaza and Israel.
"The device was placed last night near the border fence in the southern Gaza Strip in an attempt to harm forces operating in the area and was neutralized by Israeli troops," said a military statement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that his government will not “tolerate attacks from the Gaza Strip."
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza are merely “a new unsuccessful attempt” to stop the Palestinian protests along the border.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
