Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    GAZA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A third boat also called "Free Gaza" will arrive in Gaza on September 22, Jamal al-Khodary, head of the Popular Committee Against the Siege said Thursday.

    On August 23, two boats with the slogans of "Freedom for Gaza" sailed from Cyprus to Gaza shores, with 44 foreign peace activists as well as Palestinian refugees on board.

    The two boats went back to Cyprus after staying in Gaza for a few days, but left nine activists including Lauren Booth, the sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

    Israel and Egypt rejected on Thursday to give permission to the nine activists to leave Gaza through its territory.

    Al-Khodary said that having the nine activists in Gaza is an opportunity to show them how difficult the situation in Gaza is, referring to the Israeli blockade on the border crossing points.

    He announced on Thursday that a third boat is scheduled to arrive in Gaza on September 22, adding that the boat is also coming from Cyprus and it will be carrying members of European parliament doctors and media men.

    "The doctors, who are basically physicians and surgeons, and have different medical and surgical specialties will stay in Gaza to do surgical operations for patients who are barred to leave Gaza," said al-Khodary.

    He added that when the boat returns to Cyprus, it will carry the nine activists, who are not allowed to return through Israel or Egypt.

    It is not clear if Israel this time would let the third ship reach Gaza shores on September 22.