Authorities in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday refused to accept humanitarian cargo seized by Israeli authorities during their deadly attack on an international aid convoy in neutral waters.
At least seven truckloads of goods seized when Israeli military stormed the Freedom Flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea are currently waiting for the permission to enter Gaza on the Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and the coastal enclave.
"Firstly, Israel should release all the detained [activists], secondly, it must ask the cargo owner, Turkey, what to do next. If Turkey agrees to transport the cargo to Gaza by land, we will be glad to receive it. If it doesn't, we will respect their decision," said Ziad al-Zaza, economy minister in the Hamas government.
"We are not going to communicate with the Israelis on the issue," he added.
The six-ship Freedom Flotilla was carrying some 10 metric tons of aid to the Gaza Strip to alleviate the humanitarian crisis caused by the Israeli blockade when Israeli commandos dropped on board from helicopters and opened fire. Nine activists are confirmed dead, while Arab media reports put the death toll at close to 20.
Israel initially proposed to transport the humanitarian cargo by land, but the proposal was rejected.
GAZA / TEL-AVIV, June 2 (RIA Novosti)
