Israel says it will ban entry of Iranian ships to Gaza

Jerusalem, Jun 8 (ANI): Israel has reportedly banned the entry of two Iranian relief vessels saying any such move by Tehran would be seen as an act of aggression and a challenge to Tel Aviv's authority.

"The Iranian regime has called for Israel to be wiped off the map and has a proven track record of supplying dangerous weapons to Hamas and Hizbullah, Obviously, any shipment from Iran to Gaza would be a major concern", an Israeli diplomatic official was quoted, as saying.

"We cannot take a chance that there is weaponry on the ships." he added.

This is the second time that Israel will block the entry of Iranian ships after 2009, when it had despatched an Iranian ship during Operation Cast Lead, the Jerusalem Post reports.

The Gaza blockade has attracted the attention and criticism of several Middle Eastern countries.

"This embargo, this blockade must be lifted, and at the same time Israeli must be placed in a cage of crime," the Syrian President Bashar-al-Assad said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the blockade as a blatant violation of international law and human values.

Strong efforts are on to end the blockade. (ANI)