A Gaza-bound flotilla's confrontation with the Israeli navy was delayed yesterday after mystery faults developed simultaneously in two of its boats. The Greek Cypriot government also
prevented up to another 30 pro-Palestinian activists – including
European parliamentarians – from joining the crafts.

The flotilla, now down to five instead of the original eight boats, is carrying 10,000 tons of aid supplies and hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists. It prepared to leave Cypriot
waters en route to Gaza last night despite warnings by Israel that it
would be stopped – by force if necessary – from landing in the besieged
territory.

The voyage – the biggest effort yet to break through the three-year blockade of Gaza – had been described by senior Israeli spokesmen as a "cheap political stunt" and "an attempt
at violent propaganda against Israel". But Greta Berlin, one of the
flotilla's organisers, said yesterday that it had been mounted by
"intrepid civilians who are doing something [about the siege of Gaza]
because their governments don't".

Israel has made it clear that its navy is ready to arrest the flotilla's passengers and hand them over to civilian authorities for deportation or trial if they ignore warnings to turn
back or yield control of their vessels to the military. Israel's Deputy
Foreign Minister, Danny Ayalon, said: "We will not let this flotilla get
through. It harms Israeli security."

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh claimed that, either way, the flotilla would bring the end of a blockade imposed when the Islamic
faction seized control of the strip after its coalition with Fatah broke
down in June 2007. As he toured Gaza City's fishing harbour, he told
around 400 supporters: "If the ships reach Gaza, it's a victory for
Gaza. If they are intercepted and terrorised by the Zionists, it will be
a victory for Gaza, too, and they will move again in new ships to break
the siege of Gaza."

The Greek Cypriot authorities, under pressure from Israel, refused to allow the boats to dock at its ports. They also prevented passengers who had flown to
Cyprus to join the flotilla, including MPs from various European
countries, to transfer on to the vessels. Yesterday's delay came as
attempts were made for an alternative embarkation from the Turkish
Cypriot port of Famagusta.

Turkey has been the most prominent national supporter of the flotilla, with its Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging Israel to let the boats through.
Israel's alliance with Ankara was severely strained by the 2008-09
military offensive in Gaza.

Meanwhile, two of the movement's small passenger boats developed mechanical trouble at around 3.30pm on Friday as they neared the Cyprus coast from Crete. Last
week, another vessel was delayed leaving Ireland by a propeller fault.

While saying Free Gaza was still awaiting details of Friday's malfunction from the boats' captains, Ms Berlin said the coincidence of faults developing in all three boats had given rise to
speculation of possible sabotage. Claiming that one Israeli official had
indicated that the best tactic would be to pick off the boats one by
one before they joined the flotilla, she added: "As far as I am
concerned, there is a suspicion that this is what was done."

Israel has accused the participants of betraying their claim to be human rights activists by ignoring Hamas's attacks on Israeli civilians and internal repression within Gaza. Critics of the
blockade argue that it has harmed and impoverished the 1.5 million
population of Gaza while leaving the rule of Hamas intact, and even
entrenched..