GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Two boats carrying international activists on a solidarity mission with the Palestinians have reached the Gaza Strip after a two-day journey at sea.
The mission had been in question ever since the activists set sail from Cyprus on Friday. Besides putting up with rough seas, the activists accused Israel of sabotaging their communications equipment.
Israel had hinted it might prevent the vessels from breaching its naval blockade.
But Israel officials announced a change of heart Saturday, saying they would permit the boats to dock in Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians had gathered to greet them.
The mission was meant to defy the land and sea blockade of the Gaza Strip, which the Jewish state imposed in June 2007 after Hamas seized power in the territory from Fatah, a group more to Israel's liking.
