Despite criticism from the international community, Israel will continue its blockade of the Islamist-run Gaza Strip from the sea, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
The Israeli military stormed the Freedom Flotilla carrying some 10,000 tons of aid to the Hamas-run Gaza Strip and up to 700 human rights activists in neutral waters in the Mediterranean Sea on Monday. The operation claimed the lives of at least 9 people. Arab media reports put the death toll at close to 20.
Israel said the continuation of the blockade and Israel's actions to prevent the blockade from being breached, like Monday's incident, are "an act of self-defense in the face of Hamas' continuing aggression."
"Gaza has a terrorist government sponsored by Iran. That's why we try to prevent military cargoes from being delivered there, be it by land, sea or air," Netanyahu was quoted as saying at a cabinet meeting Tuesday night.
"Opening the sea route to Gaza would mean subjecting our nationals to great danger. That's why we continue the sea blockade and check vessels... The world criticizes us for this, we are being pressed, but we must understand this policy is vitally important to ensure Israel's security and its right to defend itself," he said.
The international community has widely condemned Israel. The UN Security Council, which held an emergency meeting on Monday, demanded a "prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation" into the attack.
Egypt and Israel closed their border crossings with the Gaza Strip after Hamas seized control of the enclave in June 2007. The blockade has led to a drastic deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Following Monday's incident, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ordered to open the Rafah crossing on the border with Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid and open access for those who need medical treatment.
TEL AVIV, June 2 (RIA Novosti)
