Pakistan shows concern at the Israeli decision of not allowing a flotilla of eight ships which is carrying humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza

KASWAR KLASRA

ISLAMABAD: — Pakistan has shown concern at the Israeli decision of not allowing a flotilla of eight ships, which is carrying humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza.

The continuing Israeli blockade of Gaza is in violation of international humanitarian law, and should be lifted forthwith. Pakistan will continue extending unequivocal support to the legitimate cause of Palestinians.

According to highly placed diplomatic sources, Israel has threatened to use its army, navy and “all means available” to prevent a flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid supplies from reaching Gaza Strip.

According to sources, Director General of Israeli Foreign Ministry Yossi Gal held meetings with envoys from Sweden, Turkey, Ireland, Greece and Cyprus and asked them to persuade the organizers to divert the ships to Israel’s Ashdod port.

She is said to have told the envoys that Israel would assist in off-loading the cargo and send it by truck to Gaza.

According to message posted at official web site of Foreign Ministry of Israel (www.mfa.gov.il), Israel will “use all available means to stop the ships” from docking in Gaza and “has instructed the Israel Defense Forces and the Navy to act accordingly,” the government said in a second statement from the Foreign Ministry.

It is pertinent to mention here that eight ships, organized by an international group called the ” Free Gaza Movement” are on the way to Ghaza, carrying about 10,000 tons of cargo, including cement for rebuilding homes destroyed by Israeli aggression in Gaza, medical equipment and school supplies. Fleet of ships are expected to reach Gaza on 30 May, said the sources.

Israel alleged that some of the ships are carrying television crews that plan to broadcast live any confrontation between Israeli forces and the activists.

Israel has restricted entry of people and goods into Gaza since the territory was taken over by the militant Hamas movement in 2007, allowing in only a limited range of supplies including food, clothing and medicine. Israeli Navy ships have intercepted three previous efforts by the Free Gaza Movement, formed in 2008 to deliver aid, to reach the territory by sea.

Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S. and the European Union. Israel fought a three-week war in Gaza starting in December 2008 that it said was meant to stop Hamas and other militant groups from firing rockets into its territory. It has been negotiating a prisoner swap with Hamas to exchange a captive Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, for about 1,000 jailed Palestinians.

Israeli bombing and ground operations during the war destroyed thousands of houses across Gaza and Israel’s restrictions on construction materials have prevented Palestinians from being able to rebuild.