TEHRAN (AFP) – Iran accused Israel of preventing a Red Crescent ship carrying medicines and food from reaching the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, state television reported.
"We are now close to Gaza, only a few miles away, but facing prevention by the Israeli navy which will not give us permission to pass," Ahmad Navabi, the head of the relief team, told the television by telephone.
"They have ordered us to return. If this (situation) continues we will have to go back to the (Egyptian) port of Al Arish and deliver the aid through the Rafah gateway," he added.
The Iranian ship loaded with more than 2,000 tonnes of medicine and food left the southern port city of Bandar Abbas in the Gulf two weeks ago.
Israel's deadly offensive against the Islamist Hamas in Gaza has killed nearly 1,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 4,500 since December 27.
Tehran is a staunch supporter of Hamas but rejects allegations that it supplies arms to the movement, saying it provides only moral backing.
An Open Letter to Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan
9 years ago
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.