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Last update - 11:58 06/02/2009
Israel releases passengers of impounded Gaza-bound ship
By Anshel Pfeffer, Avi Issacharoff and Roni Singer-Heruti, Haaretz Correspondents, and Associated Press
Tags: israel news, Gaza, Lebanon 

Ten activists and journalists detained Thursday by the Israeli navy on a cargo ship carrying humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip have returned to Lebanon, security officials and activists said.

Israel, however, allowed blood donations that were on board the ship to enter Gaza on Friday, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The nine Lebanese and a Palestinian resident of Lebanon arrived early Friday, with the help of the UN peacekeeping force, across the Lebanese-Israeli border at the coastal town of Naqoura.
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The 10 were among 18 activists and crew held for several hours after their ship was seized by the Israeli navy enforcing a blockade of the Palestinian territory.

All 18 people aboard were expelled to different destinations, apparently
according to nationality.

Lebanese TV station Al-Jadeed said one of the passengers, 86-year-old former Greek-Catholic archbishop of Jerusalem Hillarion Capucci, was taken to the Golan Heights where he crossed into Syria.

Three others were to be flown out to London early Friday, Israeli officials said.

The Israel Navy boarded the vessel after it tried to break the Gaza blockade and escorted it into the port of Ashdod, Israeli officials said.

The IDF said that troops found about 150 bottles of mineral water and a few dozen kilograms of food and medicine on board, despite earlier claims that it was carrying about 60 tons of medicine, food and toys, plus 10,000 units of human blood plasma which requires constant refrigeration.

The Tali, a cargo vessel flying the flag of the West African state of Togo, was sent by the Palestinian National Committee Against the Siege in cooperation with the U.S.-based Free Gaza Movement.

No weapons were found aboard the ship, an IDF spokesman said.

It was the first apparent attempt by a foreign ship carrying aid to reach the Palestinian territory since Israel ended its 22-day offensive against Hamas in Gaza two weeks ago.

The army on Thursday said in a statement, "The actions of the boat crew raised suspicion, as it could threaten security concerns, or furthermore, the boat could be used for smuggling banned equipment [weaponry, etc.] in to or out of the Gaza Strip," the IDF said in a statement.

"As a result of the actions taken by the boat crew, an Israel Navy force intercepted, boarded, and took control of the cargo boat, directing it toward Ashdod," the army said.

Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television quoted a correspondent aboard the vessel as saying the Israel Navy had fired shots then boarded the Tali and beaten passengers and crew.

"They are opening fire towards the vessel...there are Israeli soldiers who have actually boarded the vessel," said correspondent Salam Khoder. "Three of them are pointing their weapons at us ... They are beating those on the vessel, they are beating and kicking us."

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora condemned the action.

"Those who commit massacres against innocent civilians in Lebanon and Gaza will not stop themselves from assaulting, in front of the world, a ship carrying humanitarian supplies," he said. "I express my utmost condemnation for this blatant attack."

An IDF spokesman said no gunfire was used in taking control of the vessel and most of the 20 passengers aboard were from media organizations. But he said warning shots were fired in the air when the ship tried to sail toward the Gaza Strip.

Israel maintains tight control of Gaza's access to the outside world, insisting it will not permit shipment of cash, steel or other materials that could be used by Hamas Islamists, who control the Strip, to make weapons.

There have been several attempts to break the blockade over the past months by sympathizers of Gaza's 1.5 million Palestinians. Some boats were allowed to dock, others were warned off.

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      1.   Lebanon is at war with us 01:15  |  Gee 05/02/09
      2.   Back to Lebanon 02:25  |  Ron 05/02/09
      3.   It wasn`t going to Israel 03:28  |  Concerned Jew 05/02/09
      4.   I agree with #1! As a bonus, we will get rid of Cappuci! 03:28  |  AIG 05/02/09
      5.   What a stupid decision 04:17  |  Pablo B 05/02/09
      6.   Pablo: Israels PR adviser 08:18  |  Chica Chavez 05/02/09
      7.   Crimes on the high seas. 08:23  |  Peter 05/02/09
      8.   To Concerned Jew 08:23  |  A more concerned Jew 05/02/09
      9.   To num 1 & 4 08:26  |  Mario 05/02/09
      10.   security 08:44  |  lee 05/02/09
      11.   the last thing israel wants is bad rep. 08:51  |  david 05/02/09
      12.   to #3 and #5 08:52  |  Guido 05/02/09
      13.   Pablo you`re assuming that Israel cares about its image 09:51  |  Deborah 05/02/09
      14.   Facts speak for themselves 10:07  |  Marcelo 05/02/09
      15.   gaza 10:19  |  P 05/02/09
      16.   I`m still wondering what gives Israel 10:44  |  kiwi girl 05/02/09
      17.   #10 which international law is that marcello? 10:48  |  v hardman 05/02/09
      18.   #10, DEAR MARCELO, THE "AID" YOU EVOKE IS COMING FROM IRAN... 11:09  |  MOSHEH 05/02/09
      19.   Marcelo - Weren`t weapons found a few days ago from Iran stating 11:15  |  Ben 05/02/09
      20.   Well at least the IDF is being consistently nasty. 11:22  |  Dave 05/02/09
      21.   # 6 Mario BullShoes! Explain 6 million dead Jews 11:37  |  Petra 05/02/09
      22.   Marcelo, No country would accept `aid` previously not inspected. 11:43  |  Petra 05/02/09
      23.   #6, MARIO, MARIO, YOU ARE SO IN LATE... 11:46  |  MOSHEH 05/02/09
      24.   Hello VHardmanPaulHarris. What happened mate? 12:09  |  Maureen Ann 05/02/09
      25.   kiwi girl and maritime law are oceans apart 12:12  |  v hardman 05/02/09
      26.   #15 Kiwi girl - stop being willfully ignorant 12:19  |  Magpie 05/02/09
      27.   #18, weapons are nothing but fair 12:30  |  fritz t. 05/02/09
      28.   #22 Petra 12:32  |  BDS 05/02/09
      29.   There are plenty legal ways to send aid to Gaza. What commotion 12:47  |  Jo 05/02/09
      30.   shame on you israel 12:56  |  moise 05/02/09
      31.   Does anyone remember a ship with `cement` 12:58  |  Karl 05/02/09
      32.   Sea vacation interrupted 12:59  |  Israeli citizen 05/02/09
      33.   #18, 19 PROVE IT 13:00  |  Mehdi 05/02/09
      34.   David, you`re so reasonable 13:01  |  sh 05/02/09
      35.   Petra both you and Mario are wrong: 13:01  |  Mikael 05/02/09
      36.   arrogance of israel 13:10  |  simon 05/02/09
      37.   Concerned Jew It was going to the enemy at war with Israel 13:21  |  PETER SM 05/02/09
      38.   Once Again, IDF Proves Politicians are LIERS 13:27  |  Mark of Lewiston 05/02/09
      39.   Piracy 13:30  |  David 05/02/09
      40.   What would happen... 13:32  |  Hanoman 05/02/09
      41.   #9 13:32  |  vava 05/02/09
      42.   Vacation interrupted. oooops.... 13:33  |  Israeli citizen 05/02/09
      43.   kiwi girl # 16 The Right To Interdict At Sea 13:41  |  Jeff Northridge 05/02/09
      44.   Very couragious challange to the illegal seige 13:42  |  GalileeHero 05/02/09
      45.   #1 and #4 14:00  |  Aid ship 05/02/09
      46.   Humanitarian aid is right 14:01  |  Amir 05/02/09
      47.   if it were an Israeli ship 14:04  |  Joey 05/02/09
      48.   MAKE........ 14:19  |  The Teacher/Instruct 05/02/09
      49.   # 37 Hanoman 14:24  |  Amir 05/02/09
      50.   #36 Mark of Lewiston....if they had continued to Al Arish 14:26  |  Lynn 05/02/09
      51.   GalileeHero # 44 What`s Illegal About It? 15:28  |  Jeff Northridge 05/02/09
      52.   #7 Keep on dreaming! 15:36  |  Isac 05/02/09
      53.   Aiding Gaza 15:37  |  Israelimom 05/02/09
      54.   Oh yeah, some "aid" ship 15:39  |  Angel 05/02/09
      55.   Aid ship? 15:42  |  David Nigel Braham 05/02/09
      56.   #50 Lynn 15:48  |  Chris Linthwaite 05/02/09
      57.   How shameful 16:02  |  KUTW 05/02/09
      58.   sell it on ebay 16:04  |  david 05/02/09
      59.   3. Concerned Jew 16:05  |  KUTW 05/02/09
      60.   Really Big News 16:22  |  Yosemite 05/02/09
      61.   I Wonder What The Inspection Will Reveal 16:33  |  Jeff Northridge 05/02/09
      62.   As a Catholic I feel proud. 16:37  |  Andreas 05/02/09
      63.   30. moise: Really amazing 16:55  |  KUTW 05/02/09
      64.   Andreas: I`m so sorry 16:56  |  Brad 05/02/09
      65.   Only Nine People Onboard? 17:05  |  Jeff Northridge 05/02/09
      66.   I`m afraid the "PLO terrorists" are more respected today.... 17:09  |  Swiss (Dino) 05/02/09
      67.   #29 Israel continues with the blockade by land and by sea! 17:10  |  Ben Alofs 05/02/09
      68.   Andreas as a Jew I`m proud(er), 17:11  |  Jack 05/02/09
      69.   To: Andreas 17:13  |  Angel 05/02/09
      70.   This will never help 17:21  |  Amr 05/02/09
      71.   To: Jeff Northridge 17:28  |  Angel 05/02/09
      72.   BEN # 17:56  |  joan 05/02/09
      73.   News Flash! 17:57  |  Jeff Northridge 05/02/09
      74.   Gaza 18:07  |  Tony 05/02/09
      75.   Marcello #14 what if there are weapons on the ship 18:17  |  BIG SUR 05/02/09
      76.   #16 Kiwi Girl 18:19  |  Big Sur 05/02/09
      77.   Now that the illegal ship has been impounded 18:20  |  Gee 05/02/09
      78.   The Truth is Irrelevant for Activists against Humanity 18:57  |  Joseph.E 05/02/09
      79.   #77, Gee, you really have a lot of nerve... 18:59  |  Silvienne 05/02/09
      80.   #76, Big Sur, we aren`t enemies of Hamas... 19:03  |  Silvienne 05/02/09
      81.   #Big Sur, you admit Israel is the occupying power... 19:07  |  Silvienne 05/02/09
      82.   no arms no aid 20:39  |  rm 05/02/09
      83.   to silvienne...wrong 20:57  |  real vision 05/02/09
      84.   and now he is acting like a terrorist? 22:21  |  Antonio da Silva 05/02/09
      85.   Sixty tons .... 22:23  |  Angel 05/02/09
      86.   B.ALLOFS Bomboing Israeli civillians daily for years gets war 22:30  |  PETER SM 05/02/09
      87.   To: Silvienne - SECOND ATTEMPT 22:46  |  Angel 05/02/09
      88.   UN STATED ISRAEL DID NOT ATTACK UN SCHOOL 22:47  |  hamastan = HIZBULLAH 05/02/09
      89.   ONLY 150 BOTTLES OF WATER ON AID SHIP 22:52  |  TRUTH 05/02/09
      90.   To: Silvienne - SECOND ATTEMPT 22:53  |  Angel 05/02/09
      91.   Magpie, should it not also be incumbent upoon Israel 22:59  |  kiwi girl 05/02/09
      92.   KUTW, no it wasn`t 23:04  |  sh 05/02/09
      93.   silvienne,you don`t speak for "all americans" and yes,hamas is an 23:12  |  terrornator 05/02/09
      94.   #83, real vision... 23:47  |  Silvienne 05/02/09
      95.   time of changes 23:56  |  kaled 05/02/09
      96.   What kind of aid is that? 00:07  |  Jasper 06/02/09
      97.   #13 Deborah 00:09  |  concerned for her 06/02/09
      98.   Tony the Gazan counter 00:13  |  Sean 06/02/09
      99.   Silvienne Stop Already 05:06  |  Bilbi 06/02/09
      100.   What blatant 05:10  |  Daniel 06/02/09
      101.   I`m surprised that Durson or Silvienne..... 06:33  |  leo 06/02/09
      102.   Brotherhood boat 08:40  |  Palestinian American 06/02/09
      103.   The IDF handled this relatively well 08:53  |  Natallie Durson 06/02/09
      104.   What a joke! 150 bottles of water and a few kgs of aid! 09:06  |  S 06/02/09
      105.   92. sh 09:45  |  KUTW 06/02/09
      106.   Some inconsistencies here 18:39  |  Colin Wright 06/02/09
      107.   #2 Concerned Jew 23:01  |  Lebanese Australian 06/02/09
      108.   Israel seems to be getting a lot wrong nowadays 01:35  |  Esther 07/02/09
      109.   Esther # 107 Second Thoughts 03:39  |  Jeff Northridge 07/02/09
      110.   #11 Say David, you are too late!!! 04:55  |  david 07/02/09
      111.   there wer 99 bottles of beer on the wall 07:52  |  if one of them 07/02/09
      112.   Esther #107 - on the face of it, Israel is getting a lot wrong. 11:31  |  S 07/02/09
      113.   #43 No Jeff, that`s wrong. 11:53  |  Johnboy 07/02/09
      114.   capucci 11:58  |  norman a blumberg 07/02/09
      115.   Much more honest than the New York Times 12:04  |  Gina 07/02/09
      116.   To: Gina 12:32  |  Angel 07/02/09
      117.   To: Johnboy in Sydney 12:36  |  Angel 07/02/09
      118.   Johnboy # 111 That Effects Nothing 12:57  |  Jeff Northridge 07/02/09
      119.   #5 Pablo B It was PUBLIC DECEPTION"" 19:06  |  *BEN JABO 07/02/09
      120.   #81 Silvienne - That wasn`t an "Aid Ship" 19:11  |  *BEN JABO 07/02/09
      121.   #118 Jeff, the logic of your arguments has to be CONSISTENT. 00:18  |  Johnboy 08/02/09
      122.   #117 Angel 00:34  |  Johnboy 08/02/09
      123.   Israel`s act of piracy 06:57  |  Nick Ferriman 08/02/09
      124.   # 26 Magpie 07:22  |  Nick Ferriman 08/02/09
      125.   for 124 NICK FERRIMAN 13:43  |  chasaboy 08/02/09
      126.   #120, Ben Jabo....3rd try 17:22  |  Silvienne 09/02/09
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