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The Israeli Navy intercepted a ship yesterday sailing to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid. Departing from Cyprus on Monday, the Free Gaza Movement boat dubbed “The Spirit of Humanity,” was reportedly carrying three tons of medical aid, reconstruction materials, and toys for children when its passengers were taken into custody by Israeli forces. Activists aboard claimed that the Israeli navy threatened to fire on the ship if it didn’t turn its course around. Though the navy force denied the allegation, a military spokesperson said that “The Spirit of Humanity,” was illegally attempting to enter the coastal Gaza Strip through the sea. Former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who was part of the international crew of activists aboard, said to the contrary that the boat was not in Israeli waters and that the actions of the nation’s navy were “an outrageous violation of international law.” The latest attempt by the Free Gaza Movement to break the siege of Gaza by sea comes in six-month wake of Israeli’s twenty-two day assault on the Palestinian territory that ended earlier this year. The day the shipment of aid departed, the International Committee of the Red Cross released a report that concluded the situation of Gaza’s 1.5 million residents as being “trapped in despair.” Noting Israel’s continuing control of the crossing points into the territory, the ICRC highlighted the ill-effects caused by it in the economy, infrastructure and health facilities in Gaza.

GUEST: Jennifer Graham and Greta Berlin, organizers with the Free Gaza Movement.

For more information, visit www.freegaza.org.