Boats of activists head to Gaza

Israel issues a threat against boats, describing voyage from Cyprus to Gaza as an 'unacceptable provocation'.

Mary Hughes-Phompson and other peace activists prepare to sail out of the southern Cypriot port of Larnaca on their way to Gaza.

Two boats filled with activists are on route to Gaza, bracing for a confrontation with Israel's navy as they try to reach the coastal strip. The trip is a symbolic attempt to break the Israeli blockade on the territory. The vessels were just hours away from reaching Gaza, said Angela Godfrey, an organiser for the two boats carrying members of a US-based activist group. Israel has issued a tough threat against the activists, calling the mission an unacceptable provocation and saying all options were under consideration. "We are following the development and if they are looking for a provocation, we will know how to avoid it," said the foreign ministry spokesman Arye Merkel. He would not say whether Israel intended to force the boats to return to Cyprus or tow the activists to the nearby Israeli port of Ashdod. Israel's army refused to comment. In Gaza City, a small boat left the coast waving a Palestinian flag as a crowd of activists and journalists gathered in the tiny fishing port hoping to glimpse sight of the vessels. "I brought the kids so if they [the activists] arrive, I can tell them welcome - and thank you for not forgetting us," said Jamila Hassan, a 42-year-old Gaza resident who bought along her 14-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter to the port. The two boats carrying members of the Free Gaza protest group set sail from Cyprus early on Friday in a bid to break Israel's 14-month blockade of Gaza. The 46 activists from 14 countries - including an 81-year-old Catholic nun and the sister-in-law of Middle East envoy and former British prime minister Tony Blair. The 21-metre Free Gaza and 18-metre Liberty left the southern port of Larnaca at about 10am local time yesterday for the estimated 30-hour trip. The activists plan to deliver 200 hearing aids to a Palestinian charity for children and hand out 5,000 balloons. Ms Godfrey said she expected the vessels to reach Gaza at around 11am Jerusalem time. In Gaza, dozens of community activists gathered at the local fishing port, holding English and Arabic banners to welcome the two boats. Some 20 small fishing boats decked in Palestinian flags were on standby to take a delegation of reporters and activists to greet the Free Gaza activists at sea. Hamas policemen controlled traffic in and out of the port. Youths leapt off high rocks into deep water nearby. Two large tents were set-up for people to watch the scene. "Nobody thinks that these boats will break the siege in a practical way, but this is a moral message - what is happening (in Gaza) is illegal and inhumane, and must be halted," said Raji Sourani, a prominent human rights activist. Israel has initiated and enforced an international boycott of the Gaza Strip since Palestinian group Hamas seized power of the territory in June 2007. The Jewish state closed its trade crossings with the coastal territory, while neighbouring Egypt closed its passenger crossing, sealing in Gaza's 1.4 million residents. Israel has since allowed little more than basic humanitarian supplies into Gaza, causing widespread shortages of fuel, electricity and basic goods. Only a trickle of people are allowed to leave Gaza for medical care, jobs abroad and the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Under a June truce deal which halted a deadly cycle of bruising Palestinian rocket attacks and deadly Israel air strikes. Israel has pledged to ease the blockade, but Palestinians say the flow of goods into Gaza remains insufficient and there has been little improvement in the quality of life. Israel has periodically closed the cargo crossings in response to sporadic Palestinian rocket fire that violated the truce. Earlier on Friday, organiser Paul Larudee said the group expected Israeli authorities to intercept the boats and arrest those on board. He said it was "highly unlikely" the Israeli navy would fire on them. The boats departed after last-minute engine repairs to the Liberty, passenger safety drills and a final inspection of the vessels' hulls by Cyprus Marine Police divers. Group members sang a peace song in Arabic and formed the peace sign with their fingers before boarding the boats. *AP