The aid ship Mavi Marmara, belonging to the Free Gaza Movement, an international human rights group, was attacked by Israeli naval forces. At least 10 passengers on the ship were killed in the attack. On may 31, the ship, destined for the Gaza Strip, was transporting ten thousand tons of relief supplies, breaking a sea blockade that Israel had imposed. On the way, there was an attack in international waters more than 150 kilometers from the Gaza Strip.

 Palestine depends on international relief. However, relief activists are losing ground to Israel's brutal suppressions. The Mavi Marmara incident clearly revealed Israel's violence against them. Due to this incident, demonstrations against the use of armed force have occurred all over the world. 

 In 1987, the first armed uprising, or ‘intifada’, started in the Gaza Strip against Israel. Finally, Israel withdrew from the area under Palestine's stout resistance. Diplomatic relations between the two countries seemed to be stable. However, tension remounted within the two countries because Hamas, an anti-Israeli terrorist group, began to gather together the Gaza Strip. Israel set up a barrier which was 8 meters high around the area to prevent terrorism. Since the Gaza Strip has been practically dominated by Hamas from June of 2007, Israel has controlled the coast near the area. 

 The Gaza Strip has been entirely isolated from the outside world. Because unreasonable sparks seem to be flying, innocent Palestinians have barely survived in the area. Many peace organizations are trying to provide humanitarian aid at the risk of their own lives. In spite of that, their relief operations are often frustrated by the merciless repressions of Israel. Israel claimed that it had allowed  humanitarian goods to be brought into the Gaza Strip, but actually, fewer than 1/4 of the total goods arrived there according to an UN survey.

 Israel is dying to catch Hamas, and she is even committing the mistake of considering both Palestinians and relief activists as members of Hamas. If Israel keeps on causing unnecessary casualties, it will justify the existence of Hamas. In addition, the third intifada would break out, so the Middle East will turn into a sea of battle once more.