December 2, 2008

GAZA, (PIC)-- MP Jamal Al-Khudari, the head of the popular anti siege committee, said that the Libyan ship carrying three thousand tons of medical and food material to the Gaza Strip on Tuesday tried to enter Gaza waters anew but was held back by Israeli navy boats.

Khudari in a press statement said that the Libyan vessel tried to enter Gaza regional waters in the morning but the Israeli gunboats, which encircled the ship, refused to allow it access and was still jamming its radio contacts.

The Arab member of the Israeli parliament, Ahmed Al-Tibi, who tried to intervene to allow the ship to unload its shipment, said that Israel was absolutely refusing to allow it to enter. He added that Israel even refused that the ship would unload its cargo in Cyprus to re-ship it to Gaza.

Khudari said that the Libyan officials are adamant on reaching Gaza to extend the relief material, and lauded the Libyan step to break the siege. He urged the world community to pressure the Israeli occupation authority into allowing the ship to reach Gaza.

Meanwhile, the MP said that the Qatari boat carrying medical relief aid to Gaza is expected to arrive from Cyprus next week.

He quoted the Qatari officials patronizing the sea voyage as saying that the cargo would not be the last.