Israel stops Iranian aid ship heading to Gaza

TEHRAN – The Israeli navy intercepted an Iranian ship loaded with medicine, food and clothing destined for Gaza and forced the vessel to Egypt instead, Iran’s state television reported Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in a gesture of support with the Palestinians in Gaza, Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a religious opinion, or fatwa, declaring the purchase of any Israeli goods or trade with Israeli companies to be forbidden.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which Palestinian medical officials say has killed more than 940 Palestinians since December 27, has sparked outrage in Iran and throughout the Muslim world.
Iran is Hamas’ main backer, providing it political and financial support, though Tehran denies sending the organisation weapons.
The head of the humanitarian aid group sponsoring the ship, Ahmad Navabi, said in comments aired on television Wednesday that the Israeli navy approached the cargo ship, Shahed, just 30 kilometers off the coast of Gaza at dawn Wednesday, and ordered it to turn back.
‘An Israeli warship approached our cargo ship and warned us not to approach Gaza. We could see the lights at Gaza coast. We were forced to change route toward an Egyptian port,’ Navabi said.
Israeli military officials said the ship was prevented from reaching Gaza as part of a general naval blockade meant to prevent weapons smuggling, and not due to the boat’s Iranian origins.
The ship was carrying 2 000 tons of medicine, food and clothing to Palestinians living in Gaza.
This is the first Iranian boat to try to reach Gaza during the siege. On December 30, a boat carrying activists and medical supplies to Gaza was turned back after an altercation with the Israeli navy.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday Iran has stepped up diplomatic efforts to push for an end to the Israeli assault on Gaza, state television reported.
Iran has already sent a cargo plane filled with 50 tons of aid to Egypt to be sent on to Gaza.
– Nampa-AP