Israel to allow activists to reach Gaza

Israel is to allow a pro-Palestinian activist group to sail two boats carrying humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip, after earlier hinting it would block the shipment from reaching the coastal territory.

The boats, with 46 activists on board – including Lauren Booth, half-sister of Middle East envoy Tony Blair’s wife, Cherie – were expected to reach Gaza later tonight, defying Israel’s yearlong blockade of the territory.