Israeli Navy Concerned About New Convoy
Sun 26 Dec 2010 05:48

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Hamas officials in Gaza told the coastal enclave's Popular Committee Against the Siege on Sunday to prepare for the arrival of a South-Asian convoy bringing aid via sea, with plans to sail to the Egyptian port city of El-Arish.

Hamas-affiliated news site the Palestine Information Center said the proclaimed arrival of the ship, which set out from the Syrian port town of Latakia, prompted the Israeli navy to go on alert. The report said Israeli officials feared that the convoy would change course and attempt to dock in Gaza City instead of Egypt, further down the coast.

The latest convoy, which set sail just as the Mavi Marmara arrived back in Turkey to great fanfare, is named the Asia One, and traveled from India, through Pakistan, Iran and Turkey before arriving in the Syrian capital of Damascus on 20 December, picking up supplies along the way.

While some sources say the convoy is expected to reach El-Arish on Tuesday, Hamas foreign minister Ahmad Yousif said he instructed local authorities to prepare for its arrival via Egypt, but said the date of arrival had yet to be set. "It depends on Egypt's directives," he added.

According to organizers, the convoy carries 1,00 tons of aid, as well as 180 Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist activists from India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon. There are 18 women on board, officials said.

"Arrival time is not set yet,” said Ahmad Yousif explaining that arrival is dependent on Egypt’s directives. The convoy began its journey from India and traveled through

The Hamas media site PIC said officials in Tel Aviv received intelligence that Turkish activists who were aboard the Mavi Marmara - a Turkish aid boat which was attacked in international waters in an incident that saw Israeli commandos kill nine passengers - prompting heightened levels of concern.