Israel fires on Malaysian aid ship

KUALA LUMPUR, 16th May 16: Israeli forces fired shots at a Malaysian vessel ferrying aid for Palestine when it was approaching the Gazan shores this morning, forcing it to withdraw into Egyptian waters, a Malaysian activist group said.

A spokesperson of the Perdana Global Peace Foundation said in a statement that the Israeli naval force circled the humanitarian ship twice and fired shots.

Anti-war activists and journalists, including seven Malaysians, two Irish and two Indians were on board the "Spirit of Rache Corrie Mission" aid ship. No one was injured in the incident.

The ship was also carrying 7.5 kilometers of UPVC plastic sewage pipes which would be used to restore the devastated sewerage system in Gaza, the group said.

Activists prepare new aid flotilla to Gaza

Pro-Palestinian activists say a planned convoy of aid ships to the Gaza Strip will be twice as big as a similar flotilla that was raided a year ago by Israeli forces, leaving nine people dead on a Turkish boat.

Organizers say they hope to depart around the May 31 anniversary of the fatal raid, but say it could happen later than that.

Huseyin Oruc, a spokesman for an Islamic aid group in Turkey, said Tuesday that an international coalition of 22 non-governmental organizations plans to send 15 ships with a total of 1,500 people.

The goal is to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. Israel says any attempt to reach Gaza by sea is aimed at provoking violence.