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Intercepted Aid Ship Arrives in Israeli Port

05 June 2010 17:53 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. A cargo ship that was intercepted by Israeli forces as it was en route to the Gaza Strip has now entered the Israeli port of Ashdod, APA reports quoting voanews.com web-page.

The Rachel Corrie aid ship will be inspected by Israeli authorities. Israeli forces boarded the ship earlier Saturday after its crew ignored repeated warnings to divert their course.

Pro-Palestinian activists on board the ship were trying to break Israel’s three-year blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza and deliver 20 tons of aid to the region.

It the second attempt in a week by the "Free Gaza Movement" to deliver aid to Gaza. On Monday, eight Turks and an American of Turkish origin were killed after Israeli commandos boarded their ship.

The Israeli military said activists on the Rachel Corrie did not resist when troops boarded the ship.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed Israeli forces not to harm the activists.

Turkey condemned Israel for Monday’s deadly raid and has threatened to cut ties. Turkish media report that Ankara also is pursuing a possible criminal case against Israel in international court.

On Saturday, thousands of people gathered in Istanbul to protest against Israel for Monday’s deadly raid.

United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay said Saturday Israel’s blockade may be illegal. Pillay said that under international humanitarian law, "starvation of civilians as a method of warfare" is prohibited. She also said the law prohibits imposing "collective punishment" on civilians.