They are called “aid ships”, bound for Gaza with support and supplies to the terrorist organization Hamas.

Israel’s Channel 10 TV news reported on Thursday that a ship from Algeria is on its way to attempt to run the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The ship, which is sponsored by the Libyan government and organized by a private group called the Muslim Wise Men, has several prominent religious and political leaders aboard in addition to food, educational materials and medical supplies.

Meantime, the Lebanese ship the “Miriam,” named after the Virgin Mary and carrying aid and some 70 female activists, will set sail from Lebanon on Sunday in hopes of breaking the Israeli blockade, even though Cyprus has warned the vessel will not be allowed to pass through its waters.

A senior Cyprus official said today his nation has a “moral and legal responsibility” to those entering its waters, and that a blockade-busting ship could endanger lives along with “regional peace and stability,” a clear reference to the deadly Mavi Marmara incident in late May.

Lebanese leaders have refused to meet with the flotilla sponsors, indicating the mission does not have their blessing. Israel has eased the Gaza blockade in recent weeks to allow everything in except weapons and dual use materials, but anti-Israel activists still appear determined to make their point.

Former British MP George Galloway, whose group Viva Palestina is preparing its own aid flotilla for September, said this week:  “We are at a moment when pressure can be brought to bear as never before to frustrate Israel’s moves to crush the Palestinians.”

Source: Multiple media sources