ISTANBUL: Pro-Palestinian activists say Egypt’s ending of a four-year-old blockade of the Gaza Strip will not affect their plans for a flotilla next month that aims to breach Israel’s sea blockade of the territory.
The activists made the announcement on Monday on the deck of a Turkish aid ship that was raided by Israeli forces during a similar flotilla voyage a year ago. Nine activists died in the botched commando operation. The two sides accused each other of starting the violence.
The same Turkish ship, the Mavi Marmara, has been refitted and will join aid ships that are expected to leave European ports for Gaza in the second half of June.
Israel says its blockade prevents weapons from reaching Iran-backed Hamas militants in Gaza, and has vowed to block any new flotilla.
