Gaza flotilla organizers mark raid anniversary

Pro-Palestinian activists on Monday marked the first anniversary of the raid by Israel on a Turkish aid ship bound for the Gaza Strip by gathering on the deck of the same boat, refitted and preparing to sail for Gaza again next month.

An international coalition of activists said Egypt's removal of a 4-year-old blockade of the Gaza Strip last weekend will not affect their plans for a new flotilla, which will depart from various European ports in an attempt to breach Israel's sea blockade. Israel says the blockade stops weapons reaching Hamas militants, but activists describe restrictions on Gaza's 1.5 million residents as a human rights violation. (AP)