Israel Intercepts Latest Gaza Aid Ship Rachel Corrie

Just a few days after Israel had intercepted and stormed the aid ship Flotilla, an act which resulted in protests and condemnation the world over, now they have intercepted the latest Gaza aid ship Rachel Corrie, which is also a part of the Flotilla aid package. The 1200 ton Rachel Corrie aid ship has been named after a US college student who was killed, crushed under an Israeli army bulldozer when she was protesting about the demolition of houses in Gaza. This aid ship arrived after the Flotilla due to some technical problems earlier. Israel was accused of boarding the Flotilla and killing 9 activists, which brought widespread protests around the world, especially in Turkey where most of the victims were from. Flotilla activists insist Israeli commandos descended onto the ship from helicopters and fired on them without any provocation. Israel has stood by its initial stand that its forces were attacked with knives and sticks, and were compelled to use their weapons in self defense.

There are said to be around 20 individuals aboard the Rachel Corrie, 9 crew members, 5 activists from Ireland and 6 from Malaysia. Israel has instructed the ship to dock at Ashdod, an Israeli port, and said that the aid will eventually be taken to Gaza by road. The United States has urged the activists to comply with Israel and do as they say. The activists, on their part, initially said that they would not resist the Israeli forces. However, Irish Nobel peace laureate Mairead Maguire, who is aboard the ship, insists that this aid ship will not be diverted from its path. Denis Halliday, former head of UN Oil-for-Food program in Iraq is also said to aboard the ship. The Rachel Corrie's aim is to deliver hundreds of tons of aid to the Gaza Strip, which includes medical supplies, wheelchairs, and concrete. Israel is particularly concerned about the concrete, which it says can be used for military purposes. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had from the start vowed to stop the ship and has firmly rejected calls to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip.

The world will wait and watch with bated breath as to how this latest crisis regarding Israel and the Gaza Strip aid unfolds.