Gaza City - As soon as the thousands of Palestinians waiting at Gaza City's fishermen harbor saw the boats approaching Gaza beach, they started whistling and screaming. The "Free Gaza" boats, which had set sail Friday from Cyprus, arrived on Saturday afternoon at the harbor after Israel finally decided to let them cross into Gaza territorial water.
Flags of different countries, including Turkey, Germany, France, Cyprus, Britain, Lebanon and Greece, fluttered on the two boats. On one boat was written "Freedom for Gaza" and "We are coming." On the other, a banner calling for the end of the Israeli occupation.
Upon their arrival, the two boats released 5000 balloons of four colors, black, red, green and white - the colors of the Palestinian flag - and on each balloon was written "Free Palestine" and a drawing of the dove of peace.
The two boats were carrying medical supplies - hearing aids for deaf Palestinian children - as well as several people: peace activists, a Holocaust survivor and the sister-in-law of former British prime minister Tony Blair.
Several local Gaza fishing boats loaded with people also received the "Free Gaza" armada, onto which dozens of children and adults jumped to welcome the visitors.
Jamal al-Khodari, head of the group the Popular Committee to End the Siege, was part of the welcoming committee. "Welcome to Gaza and thank you for breaking the blockade," he said.
He told Deutsche Presse-Agentur
