Boat trip aims to break Israeli blockade of Gaza

(July 29) ATHENS  (Reuters) - Two boats carrying activists from 17 countries will leave the Mediterranean island of Cyprus next week bound for Gaza in a bid to break an Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory, organisers said on Tuesday. The Free Gaza Movement hopes the boats, due to depart on Aug. 5 with around 40 people onboard, will draw attention to the plight of 1.4 million Palestinians suffering shortages of everything from fuel to food since an Israeli crackdown. Israel pulled its troops and settlers out of Gaza in 2005 but has tightened security restrictions on the territory since the militant Islamic movement Hamas seized control there a year ago from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ security forces. "We want to open Gaza to unrestricted international access," organiser Paul Larudee told a news conference in Athens. The Free Gaza Movement’s organisers said they had not notified Israeli authorities of their plan and were prepared for resistance or even sabotage from them. (Follow the link below to continue)

<p>http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL9103865</p>