Activists ready for another aid boat trip to Gaza

International protesters say they will again sail from Cyprus to Gaza in a renewed bid to break an Israeli naval blockade of the war-hit Palestinian territory. Free Gaza group organizers said their 66-foot Greek-flagged yacht, the Spirit of Humanity, will depart at noon Monday from the Cypriot port of Larnaca. It will be carrying medical supplies and 30 passengers aboard, including 7 doctors and Greek, Belgian and Spanish lawmakers, they said. Another Free Gaza boat with aid and volunteer doctors aboard was turned back last month after being seriously damaged in a collision with an Israeli navy vessel. Organizers said in a statement Sunday that they had already notified Israeli authorities of the trip and they expected no interference because of the trip's humanitarian purpose.