The Turkish humanitarian aid fund IHH has reaffirmed that it received thousands of applications to join its Freedom Flotilla II, slated to sail for Gaza and led by the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara next May, 2011.

Israeli politicians expressed concern over the return of a Gaza-bound aid Turkish ship that the Israeli navy attacked late last May, and killed 9 Turkish solidarity activists.

IHH, one of the groups behind the Freedom Flotilla, is currently organizing a new 12-ship aid convoy scheduled to set sail to Gaza late next May, the Israeli newspaper Maariv Wednesday quoted those sources as saying.

Israeli attempts to deter the mission "culminated with failure" when the convoy's organizers refused offers to deliver the aid through Port Ashdod in “Israel”, Maariv said.

It is worth to mention that the ship Mavi Marmara reached the Turkish ports before two weeks, after being released by the Israeli forces, and a big welcome ceremony was organized at the Turkish seaport to mark this event.

Meanwhile, the relief material and different other effects that were confiscated by Israeli forces are still held at Ben Gorion airport after being held by the Israeli foreign ministry.

AB.