Israel Navy has declared its readiness to intercept the Steadfastness and Justice Convoy to break Gaza siege expected to leave Gaza on Monday aiming to break the naval blockade six miles from the Gaza shore.
The Israeli occupation authority has tightened its economic, political, aerial, maritime and land siege on the Gaza Strip during the last few months in an attempt to break the Palestinian people's determination and steadfastness.
Israel Occupation Forces and the Israeli Navy began preparations and reviewed standing orders to deal with the planned flotilla, Israel Today Hebrew newspaper said.
The convoy was organized by Intifada Youth Coalition (IYC) where it was planned to take place last week, but it was postponed for unknown reasons.
IYC declared on Sunday that the convoy, named "Steadfastness and Justice Convoy", will be launched on Monday at 10:00 am from the Gaza port under the slogan of "Steadfastness of Fishermen and Questioning the International Justice".
The coalition pointed out that the activity will include conferences in both English and Arabic languages and speeches for foreign activists and Fishermen Union Association.
About 200 participants, including foreign activists and journalists, will board 20 boats to send letters in bottles to the international community in English and Arabic.
Intifada Youth Coalition (IYC) has declared on Sunday that it has finished its preparations to launch the convoy to break the naval blockade on Gaza.
The coalition stressed that the convoy will break the barrier of the six nautical miles despite Israeli threats to intercept the boats.
Since the beginning of the al-Aqsa Intifada, Israeli forces have repeatedly imposed a total marine siege on the Gaza Strip, preventing Palestinian fishermen from working. They have also decreased the area where fishing is allowed from 20 nautical miles as provided for in the Israeli-Palestinian agreements to 6 nautical miles.
Israeli occupation forces have also created two marine security zones, each is 2 square miles, one in Rafah near the Palestinian-Egyptian border in the southern Gaza Strip and the other in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian fishermen are prevented from getting close to those two zones, so the area where fishing is permitted has further decreased.
Although Palestinian fishermen do not exceed the area where fishing is allowed, Israeli naval troops often attack them in an attempt to force them to give up their jobs. They chase fishing boats, spray them with water cannons and fire at them to terrify fishermen.
