Gazans observe third anniversary of Israeli attack on aid flotilla

The Palestinians in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip observe the third anniversary of the Israeli naval attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla where nine activists were killed and dozens injured. Scores of Gaza children threw flowers into the sea of Gaza city in honor of the activists, eight Turks and one Turkish American, who were killed when the Israeli navy attacked the flotilla. Ghazi Hammad, Hamas deputy foreign minister, said the sacrifice of the activists was a historic event and a memorable struggle against the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip. Mahmet Caya, chairman of the Gaza-based Turkish Humanitarian Organization, said his country will not cease its efforts to bring the guilty Israelis in the attack to justice. On May 31, 2010, six ships were sailing toward the shore of the Gaza Strip carrying humanitarian and medical aid in an attempt to break the blockade that Israel imposed after Hamas took control of the Palestinian enclave in 2007. However, the flotilla was attacked by the Israeli navy and nine aid workers were killed in the clash. Under heavy international pressure brought about by the incident, Israel eased its blockade and allowed more commodities into the Gaza Strip.