THE UNITED Nations has agreed to deliver to Gaza cargo transported aboard three aid ships seized by Israel on May 31st and has won the consent of Israel and the cargo’s Turkish owners to do so, a UN envoy said yesterday.
Israel's navy took control of a six-ship convoy trying to run the Jewish state's blockade of Gaza and forced it to dock in Israeli ports. Nine people were killed aboard one vessel, the Turkish-registered Mavi Mara, provoking an international outcry.
Israel said its commandos acted in self-defence.
UN Middle East envoy Robert Serry told the UN Security Council that the United Nations was ready to take responsibility for delivery of the cargo. The world body “has obtained the consent of the cargo owners . . . for the entire cargo and [will] ensure its timely distribution in Gaza for humanitarian purposes as determined by the United Nations”, Mr Serry said.
He had reason to believe that the “de facto authorities” in Gaza – a reference to the Hamas militant group that controls the Palestinian territory – would allow the United Nations to determine where the aid went, he added.
Israel has blockaded the territory since Hamas took it over three years ago, allowing in only what it considers essential goods.
Mr Serry, who was making a regular monthly report to the security council on the Middle East, said the UN would begin distribution as soon as possible. – (Reuters)