Iran to send aid ship to Gaza

[June 22, 2010]  TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's state television says the country will send an aid ship to the blockaded Gaza Strip with 1,100 tons of relief supplies.

Iran is Israel's archenemy and supports Gaza's militant Hamas rulers. Dispatching a ship to Gaza risks a high-seas confrontation with the Israelis.

Israeli commandos killed nine pro-Palestinian activists on May 31 when they intercepted a blockade-busting flotilla bound for Gaza organized in part by a Turkish group.

The Tuesday television report quotes a spokesman for the ship, Abdolraouf Adibzadeh, saying the vessel begins its 14-day journey Sunday. The ship, called "Infants of Gaza" will carry 10 passengers, including five local journalists, besides the crew.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.