Activists plan new Gaza journey

Hundreds of activists have decided to embark on a journey to the Gaza Strip to break the Israeli siege and deliver humanitarian aid to impoverished Gazans.

500 activists from a dozen Asian and Middle Eastern countries would set off from India by land on December 2.

The pro-Palestinian activists in the new convoy hope to reach the coastal strip by December 27, AP reported.

The group had earlier organized the Gaza Freedom Flotilla aid convoy, which came under attack by Israeli commandos in international waters on May 31.

The Israeli assault, which provoked global outrage, left nine Turkish activists dead and dozens of others injured.

The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli blockade since June 2007. The 1.5 million residents of the strip are deprived of food, fuel and other basic life necessities.