Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    GAZA, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Boats carrying international campaigners arrived Tuesday to Cyprus, their last stop before sailing to Gaza Strip to challenge the Israeli blockade on the Palestinian territory, an official said on Wednesday.

    Jamal al-Khodary, a Palestinian independent lawmaker who heads a lobby against the siege, said the Free Gaza and Liberty boats will start their voyage to Gaza on Thursday afternoon or early Friday.

    The trip is organized by the newly-formed Free Gaza Movement which is made up of international human rights activists, journalists and peace activists. The ships carry medical supplies for children in Gaza, according to al-Khodary.

    Israel vowed to prevent the boats from entering its water, but al-Khodary says the campaigners are determined to go on their trip.

    Israel imposed the blockade on Gaza Strip last June after the Islamic Hamas movement seized control of the territory.

    On the Palestinian side, journalists and human rights activist will receive the boats. But if Israeli gunboats, which monitor Gaza shores, obstructed the Free Gaza vessels, the Palestinians will use fishing boats to sail to meet the ships offshore, according to al-Khodary.