Photo Khaled Safi / PalestineFreeVoice Image
SS Free Gaza and SS Liberty Safe in Gaza Seaport

GAZA - Civilians of all ages and nationalities from 17 nations ,involved in the project to break the siege of Gaza, aboard the two ships SS Free Gaza and SS Liberty, said they had experienced rough sea conditions, and the thousands of Gazan's waiting on the Gaza shorelines, said they worried that Israeli naval boats would attack the ships.

The organizers of the project,lost contact with the Free Gaza ships but resumed contact with Gaza in the early morning hours. At around six o'clock local time ,the ships docked in to the Gaza seaport.Upon arrival to Gaza,the crew said that the Israelis jammed and scrambled the navigation signals. The problems with the navigation equipment began when the Israelis broad casted radio waves,the signals delayed the arrival.

Jamal Al-Khudari,the chairman of "the People's Committee against the blockade" and a legislator in (PLC), warned the Israelis of causing any harm to the Free Gaza ships and its crews,sailing towards Gaza through international waters,carrying peace activists and medical supplies to the people of Gaza.

Earlier on Saturday the Israel cabinet meeting decided,to give a free pass to SS Free Gaza and SS Liberty to dock in Gaza seaport.The Israeli Foreign Ministry had earlier warned that force might be used to prevent the ships from docking,Aviv Shiron the Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman issued a statement, that he would give no reason for the change in policy.

Prime Minister Ismail Haniyyeh said in an interview, that the voyage to Gaza became a success because of enduring Palestinian spirit of steadfastness.Haniyyeh called the Free Gaza project a "siege smashing" success.

Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokes person,who him self greeted the arrival activists,said that the success of the operation has broken the stalment, and prepared the Gaza Strip for a new phase of breaking the siege. Abu Zuhri said "the message,is that the world is opposing the continued Israeli siege, and the success of the project Free Gaza has put pressure on the leaders of the Arab nations. to work harder towards breaking the siege here in Gaza".

The operation was organized by the Free Gaza Movement and the International Solidarity Movement,ISM.Many members of ISM have been barred by the Israelis from entering Palestine on the pretext of "security".The organizers of the Free Gaza project have raised almost $300,000 to finance the operation.The 44 activists will stay in Gaza for one week, and will attend a Gaza conference ,also a tour through Gaza Strip, to be witness the destruction caused by the Israeli-led international siege.

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