“Although the Israel Navy is preparing for the worst case scenario, there is still a chance that a clash on the open seas can be avoided. The US, Canada, France, Australia, Greece and other countries have issued strong warnings to their nationals not to participate in the latest flotilla that aims to try and break Israel’s sea blockade on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Cyprus has banned flotilla members from using its port – one of the closest to Gaza – as a point of rendezvous. These steps underline Israel’s legal right to maintain a naval blockade aimed at thwarting arms smuggling, in order to protect its citizens from a terrorist organization which has fired thousands of rockets and mortar shells into Israel and killed hundreds of Israelis in suicide bombings and other attacks.

Meanwhile, Israel and Egypt have announced they will allow ships taking part in the flotilla to unload what they say is their cargo of humanitarian goods at the Egyptian port of El-Arish, to be transferred on land to Gaza, after being thoroughly inspected. Israel has made it clear that while it is resolved to enforce the blockade, it will also facilitate the transfer of any humanitarian cargo destined for Gaza that arrives at Ashdod port.”

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