Israel sets up tents for activists carrying supplies to Gaza

ISRAEL set up three massive white tents at its main southern seaport yesterday to hold hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists who hope to breach Israel’s three-year blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The activists are headed toward Gaza’s waters on board a flotilla carrying 10,000 tons of supplies. Israel says it won’t let the eight boats reach Gaza’s shores, and it will deport or imprison the activists.

The military said it would divert the boats to the Israeli port at Ashdod, where the activists will be taken into the tents for identification and medical attention. Officials said 40 buses will be on hand to ferry them to Israel’s international airport for deportation or to a nearby prison if they refuse to be deported voluntarily.