US urges ships from Lebanon to send aid to Gaza overland

Wed Jun 23, 2:58 pm ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States on Wednesday urged aid ships from Lebanon to Gaza to "behave responsibly" and avoid clashes by having the aid delivered via established land routes from Israel.

"Direct delivery by sea is neither appropriate nor responsible, and certainly not effective, under the circumstances," the State Department said when asked if Washington has discussed Gaza-bound aid shipments from Lebanon.

"We, along with our partners in the Quartet, urge all those wishing to deliver goods to do so through established channels so that their cargo can be inspected and transferred via land crossings into Gaza," the statement said.

The statement referred to the Diplomatic Quartet of the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union.

"There is no need for unnecessary confrontations, and we, along with our partners in the Quartet, call on all parties to act responsibly in meeting the needs of the people of Gaza," the statement said.

In defiance of Israeli warnings to Lebanon, organizers are planning to transport aid by sea along with dozens of Lebanese and foreign journalists to the Hamas-controlled territory.

Organizers in Beirut said one of two aid boats planning to sail to Gaza from Lebanon has received the green light to depart for Cyprus on the first leg of a trip that aims to break Israel's blockade.

While the vessel would also need Cypriot authorization to depart for Gaza from its shores, organizers have said they may change course before reaching the island and head straight towards the Palestinian territory.

In Cyprus, there was no official comment on Monday on the planned trip.

A second ship, the "Mariam," also plans to carry aid to Gaza in another attempt to break the four-year-old siege of Gaza with some 50 women-only activists on board, including 30 Lebanese.

The "Mariam" has not yet been given permission to sail.

Israel came under international censure over its May 31 seizure of a six-ship aid fleet bound for Gaza, in which nine Turkish activists were shot dead by Israeli naval commandos in clashes on the lead boat.
Using an all female crew is pretty clever of the Lebanese.