(Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson)
The Israeli Navy continues to follow the Libyan Amalthea ship, which is currently entering the territorial waters of Egypt. IDF Radio reported that Egypt authorized the captain of the ship to dock at the port of El-Arish. According to the report, the cargo of the ship will be unloaded at El-Arish and will be transferred by land to the Gaza Strip.
The Libyan Al-Amal ship belongs to a Greek shipping company and is sailing under the flag of Moldova. According to assessments, the Al-Amal ship is carrying 21 people, including 9 pro-Palestinian activists and 12 crew members, along with 2,000 tons of equipment.
A report published by the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center claims that the sole mission of the Libyan foundation responsible for sending out this ship to Gaza is to "break the siege". According to the published findings, the Libyans intend to pressure Israel to agree to allow the entrance of goods into the Gaza Strip according to the "rules of the game" determined by Hamas.
In addition, the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center report shows that there are political considerations behind the Libya-sponsored flotilla, as Libya is interested in strengthening its position within the Arab League. The move is also expected to increase national political support for the organizer of the ship, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, son of Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi.
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US State Department daily briefing (13 July 2010): "We are conscious of the fact that there is a Libyan aid ship en route to Gaza as we speak, and that we, along with our partners in the Quartet, urge all those wishing to deliver goods to do so through established channels so that their cargo can be inspected by the Government of Israel and transferred via land crossings into Gaza. We have urged the Libyan Government to avoid unnecessary confrontations. We call on all parties to act responsibly in meeting the needs of the people of Gaza."