Two main vessels accompanied by smaller boats left the Gaza Strip’s shore on Tuesday in a bid to break the 12-year-long blockade imposed on the coastal enclave.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that the Israeli naval forces are preparing to intercept the boats.
The first-of-its-kind flotilla is carrying dozens of students cancer patients people with injuries and others with humanitarian cases who need to leave Gaza as soon as possible.
Head of the Higher Commission of the Great Return March and Breaking the Siege Khaled al-Batsh said “Our aim is to send a message to the world and human rights advocates to intervene and break the siege on Gaza.”
Al-Batsh also called on the international community to provide protection to the boats and the Palestinians participating in the campaign.
The Higher Commission has earlier said that this trip will carry the hopes and dreams of two million Palestinians for freedom.
Yedioth Ahronoth said that Hamas plans to send at least three fishing boats from Gaza port toward Cyprus adding that this “provocative move” could turn into violence especially that boats in Gaza are limited to six nautical miles offshore.
