GAZA, (PIC)-- The organizers of the sea trip to break the Israeli siege on Gaza stressed Wednesday that they will not inform the IOA about their plans because their ships will not sail across Israeli territorial waters, adding that they are ready to challenge any obstacle that may obstruct the voyage.

GAZA, (PIC)-- Spokesman for the Popular Committee Against the Siege (PCAS), Rami Abdu, announced on Thursday evening the death of six patients raising the number of patients who died as a result of the siege to 233.

In another few days, I will sail on one of the Free Gaza movement boats from Cyprus to Gaza. The mission is to break the Israeli siege, an absolutely illegal siege which has plunged a million and a half Palestinians into wretched conditions: imprisoned in their own homes, exposed to extreme military violence, deprived of the basic necessities of life, stripped of their most fundamental human rights and dignity.

by Jeff Halper
CounterPunch
5 August 2008

A message from the Free Gaza Campaign

Dear Endorsers and Supporters 

The moment we’ve all worked so long for is nearly here: on August 12th or 13th the Free Gaza Movement will begin its trip from Cyprus to Gaza. They will sail in two boats, the SS Free Gaza and the SS Liberty with 40 people on board. If all goes well, the journey should take 20 hours. But a lot can happen along the way and it’s not unlikely that as the boats approach Gaza’s coastal waters or even before, they will end up in a stand off with the Israeli navy. You can track the progress of the boats by going visiting Free Gaza and clicking on the BOAT UPDATES tab on the top right-hand side of the page.

I am a Palestinian journalist from Gaza. At the age of 17, I armed myself with a camera and a pen, committed to report accurately on events in Gaza. I have filed reports as Israeli fighter jets bombed Gaza City. I have interviewed mothers as they watched their children die in hospitals unequipped to serve them because of Israel's embargo. I have been recognized for my reporting, even in the United States and United Kingdom, where I have won two international awards. I have also been beaten and tortured by Israeli soldiers.

Mohammed Omer, The Electronic Intifada, 5 August 2008

The Israeli army kidnapped a Palestinian girl from Al Khader village near the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Thursday morning.

Thursday August 07, 2008 12:31 by Rula Shahwan - IMEMC News

The Israeli army attacked the West Bank cities of Jenin, Ramallah, Tubas and Tulkarem on Thursday at dawn, local sources reported.

Thursday August 07, 2008 12:06 by Rula Shahwan - IMEMC News

A group of international peace activist invited the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni to welcome them in the Gaza Strip as they arrive from their planned sail from Cyprus to Gaza.
Thursday August 07, 2008 13:59 by George Rishmawi - IMEMC News

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- The Hamas Movement on Tuesday condemned the statements of Israeli war minister Ehud Barak in which he talked about intentions to wage a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip as foolish and reflecting the bankruptcy of the Israeli government before the fortitude of the Palestinian resistance.

The Israeli army invaded the West Bank cities of Hebron, Jenin , tubas , qalqilia and Ramallah on Wednesday morning, reported local sources.

Wednesday August 06, 2008 11:20 by Rula Shahwan - IMEMC News