Gaza Latest (14 June): Iranian Aid Ship Sails; Israel to Ease Blockade Amidst Enquiry?

Iran Intervenes with Aid (and Politics?): Tehran is proclaiming that its "flotilla" has begun to ease the Gaza blockade. State radio said one ship had left port Sunday and another will depart by Friday, loaded with food, construction material and toys. "Until the end of the Gaza blockade, Iran will continue to ship aid," said an official at Iran's Society for the Defense of the Palestinian Nation. 

Netanyahu Launches Internal Enquiry: Israel's media features the statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Cabinet this morning that West Jeruslaem's internal enquiry into the assault upon the Freedom Flotilla must give a "credible and convincing response" to the world. 

Gaza Latest (13 June): Rumblings of the Next Flotilla

The committee will be headed by a retired Supreme Court judge Jacob Terkel, with an international law expert a retired Major General as the other members. Except for Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gaby Ashkenazi, no Israeli troops will testify. Instead, the Israel Defense Forces  will provide summaries of its own operational investigations.  

Netanyahu declared, "I estimate that the cabinet's decision this morning to establish a special, independent public commission will make it clear to the entire world that the State of Israel acts according to law, transparently, and with full responsibility."

Europe Talks Up Israel's Easing of Blockade: 

EU diplomats are putting out signals that West Jerusalem will soon agree to a relaxation of the restrictions on import of goods into Gaza. They say Israel will replace its private, restrictive list with a short, agreed list of items banned because of Israeli security concerns 

One diplomat said that there were "positive indications" that Israel might be willing to open either the Karni or the Kerem Shalom border crossings for large-scale imports into Gaza.“The most important part of what we can do is to try and provide support to actually get the crossings open and to … help people rebuild their homes, to provide for businesses, to try to support everyday things,” EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague added, “We should be ready to assist at any time with the policy of the crossings and whatever else we can do to assist." 

Red Cross Calls for Lifting of Blockade

In a sharply-worded report, the International Committee of the Red Cross concludes, "The hardship faced by Gaza's 1.5 million people cannot be addressed by providing humanitarian aid. The only sustainable solution is to lift the closure." The Red Cross cited "ruined livelihoods", dangers to health, and poor sanitation arising from the Israeli restrictions on Gaza.

Comments

[Baz]

But the IRGC is not sailing with them - they are smarter than I thought!!!

Barry