A ship bearing pro-Palestinian activists intent on breaching Israel’s naval blockade on the Gaza Strip is en route to the Hamas-controlled enclave, Israeli Radio reported on Sunday.
Activists said the schooner Estelle, which set sail from Sweden three months ago, was expected to reach the Gaza coast by mid-October. Since casting off, the Estelle has docked at several Europeans ports, where its passengers have held conferences to raise awareness of the situation in Gaza.
The ship is currently moored at the Italian port of La Spezia, and is expected to set sail for Gaza next week.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said Israel’s stance on the issue remains unchanged, and that it does not intend to let the ship run the naval blockade, which is designed to ensure weaponry does not reach Gaza.
Two years ago, Israeli forces boarded the Mavi Marmara, the ship leading a flotilla to break the blockade on Gaza. Nine Turkish nationals were killed and nine Israeli soldiers were wounded in the ensuing melee. The event triggered a major international scandal and strained Israel’s relations with Turkey.
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