Israel Stops Libyan Ship with Aid for Gaza Aboard

A Libyan ship with aid for Gaza has docked in an Egyptian port after Israel's navy stopped it from reaching the blockaded Palestinian territory.

Photo: Israel Stops Libyan Ship with Aid for Gaza Aboard

The director of the port of el-Arish, Gamal Abdel Maqsoud, says the ship will unload its cargo Thursday and hand it over to the Red Crescent for delivery to Gaza by land.

Israeli missile ships stopped the aid vessel from reaching Gaza, which has been blockaded for three years, according to The Associated Press.

The ship’s captain is said to be waiting for orders from the charity headed by Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi’s son, which chartered the boat.

The Almathea headed for the port of El Arish after being intercepted by the Israeli navy which reportedly blocked it from sailing further east. Israel had warned that the ship would be escorted to Ashdod if it continued towards Gaza.

The pro-Palestinian activists say the ship, which left Greece last weekend, is carrying two thousand tonnes of food, cooking oil, medicines and pre-fabricated housing, euronews reports.