Israel threatens Gaza-bound aid convoy

Israel has threatened to attack an international aid convoy bound for the Gaza Strip, carrying tons of relief material and accompanied by 600 activists.

The convoy, nicknamed “Freedom Flotilla,” is the biggest internationally coordinated effort to directly challenge Israel’s blockade of the tiny sliver, the Palestinian Ma’an News Agency reported Sunday.

Tel Aviv imposed the crippling blockade on Gaza in mid-June 2007, when Hamas took charge of the coastal strip. The siege has deprived some 1.5 million Gazans of food, fuel and other necessities.

The Flotilla is set to break the siege with three ships and five passenger boats. The first of its three ships will set sail from Greece, according to the International Middle East Media Center.

Jamal Al-Khudari, head of Gaza’s Popular Committee Against the Siege, said the threat against the convoy embodies “state terrorism” against peaceful individuals.