On August 23rd, two small boats carrying 42 human rights activists broke the siege of Gaza. They sailed from Cyprus in defiance of Israeli threats to intercept the boats to enforce its blockade of Gaza. The arriving boats were greeted by thousands of jubilant Gazans and former Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.

Human rights activists from 17 different countries, including Jews from Israel and an 84-year-old Holocaust survivorset sail from Larnaca, Cyprus. They arrived in the early evening on Satuday, 23 August 2008 to the cheers of thousands of jubilant Palestinians who lined Gaza Port. Former Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh was among those who came to welcome the Free Gaza activists.

The international activists had been preparing for this historic voyage for over two years. They sailed in two small Greek-flagged fishing boats in a bold attempt to break through the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza which bars any ships from entering or leaving its ports. The 350-kilometer journey from Cyprus to Gaza took nearly 36 hours. The voyage was challenged by rough seas, approaching storms, and apparent jamming of the boats' communications. The human right activists accused Israel of jamming their communications.

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