Gaza

Israeli navy on alert as Libyan aid ship heads for Gaza

A Libyan ship carrying aid and activists is heading for Gaza in a mission that Israel has described as an "unnecessary provocation".

The Israeli navy is monitoring the vessel's progress and preparing to intervene if it continues on a course to Gaza.

"I say very clearly, no ship will arrive in Gaza. We will not permit our sovereignty to be harmed," the foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said in a radio broadcast.

Read more @

It is expected to arrive on wednesday but I suspect it will be re-routed to Egypt this time.

Gaza gunmen 'set fire to UN summer camp for children'

Masked gunmen in the Gaza Strip have set fire to a United Nations-run summer camp for children.

This follows a similar attack in May on another UN-run summer camp.

Some militants view the UN as a symbol of the West and claim that the summer camps allow boys and girls to mix freely - something that the UN denies.

The attackers tied up the guard at the camp in central Gaza before setting fire to chairs, tables, easels and other equipment.

The UN says about 25 armed men attacked the beach camp in the middle of Sunday night.

obody was hurt, and nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack.

But in a similar incident last month a previously unknown Islamist group said its had attacked a UN summer camp in Gaza city.

Jewish flotilla to break Gaza siege

German Jewish group prepares flotilla to protest Israel's blockade on Gaza. 'Activists frightened, but not by Hamas,' member of organization says

The German-Jewish organization Jewish Voice for Peace in the Middle East is preparing a Jewish flotilla to the Gaza Strip. "We intend to leave around July," a member of the organization, Kate Leitrer, said to Ynet. "We have one small craft so far, in which there will be between 12 and 16 people, mostly Jews."

O Nick Clegg where art thou?

Were you not the leader of the party that was most sane on the issue of Palestine? Were you not for an arms embargo on Gaza?

Has that changed since your alliance with the Conservatives? You seem to have sold your soul.

Where is the Prime Minister to state the terrible nature of this assault?

And how about condemning this act insted of Mr Hague being forced to deplore the loss of life? explained it well:

Israel vents fury at Gaza aid ship

When entering Israel's borders it should read, "enter at your own risk". Whether by sea, land or air, todays actions by Israel clearly highlight the urgent need of action by the world and US on how Israel continues to defy internationa law.

Once again with more than ten people dead and dozens injured we witnessed that Israel is willing to use great force whatever the circumstances. This attack on a flotilla aid convoy was not just a provacation but a clear sign of violation of International law.

Gaza hopes to welcome blockade-busting flotilla

Preparations are under way in Gaza to receive a convoy of ships that is trying to break Israel's economic blockade of the Palestinian territory.

The ships, carrying up to 10,000 tonnes of aid and human rights activists from around the world, will try to reach Gaza on Sunday.

Israel is adamant it will not allow them into Gaza.

Read more @

Gaza aid flotilla to set sail for confrontation with Israel

Something to keep an eye on:

Israelis promise to stop eight ships carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid, 800 activists and politicians from more than 40 countries

A flotilla of eight boats carrying thousands of tonnes of construction materials, medical equipment and other aid is preparing to sail to Gaza in the next few days, setting the scene for a confrontation with Israel which has vowed to prevent the ships breaking the blockade on the Palestinian territory.

Three cargo ships and five passenger vessels plan to meet up in international waters between Cyprus and Gaza Strip before heading towards Gaza City. The Israeli military is expected to stop the flotilla and divert it to the Israeli port of Ashdod.

Pages