ANKARA, November 16. /TASS/. A number of humanitarian organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are preparing a major international campaign to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip and potentially breach the enclave’s blockade, a source in the Turkish IHH humanitarian organization that has an office in the Gaza Strip told TASS.
"Right now, efforts are underway for the preparation of a new humanitarian action, similar to the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla. We are not the only ones taking part in it, it will also involve other humanitarian organizations, activists and NGOs from around the world. It will potentially be the largest international action for Gaza that will involve representatives from both Europe and other countries of the world. We aim to breach the blockade and deliver the aid, but whether we will manage to breach the blockade, will depend on the reality in the region," the source said.
He noted that "consultations and negotiations with potential participants are currently underway on how and in what format this campaign will be implemented."
"Right now, negotiations are underway on what ships will take part in the action. It could be rescue ships, as well as private ships owned by organizations and activists. As for the participations, discussions are also underway. At the very least, the participants will include those who took part in the 2010 event. But now, their geography is even wider," the source said.
In 2010, the IHH and 5 other international humanitarian organizations organized the Gaza Freedom Flotilla action, which aimed to breach the naval blockade of Gaza by a convoy of ships. The Israeli special forces seized Turkey’s Mavi Marmara ferry; 9 people onboard were killed. Back then, Ankara cut most ties with the Jewish state, lowered the level of diplomatic relations and assumed a harsh position, rolling out a number of preconditions.