In a move to appreciate the struggles for exposing the realities behind Israeli occupation, the Palestinian Authority has granted Palestinian nationality to all the activists in the Flotilla.

The Chief of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday thanked the international activists in the Flotilla for their struggle for liberation and expressed hope that the ships would not be the last effort to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

"Jerusalem is under siege, Gaza is under siege, Hebron is torn apart, Bethlehem is isolated and our lands are occupied …When will this tyranny and occupation end? When will Israel respect the laws of international legitimacy, so bloodshed ends and true peace prevails?" Ma’an News Agency quoted Abbas as saying.

Also in 2008, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh honored the crew of the boats which broke the Israeli siege in Gaza and granted them Palestinian passports.

The Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which was carrying food and medical supplies to Gaza, came under fire early Monday morning by Israeli navy forces in international waters more than 150km off the coast of Gaza.

Twenty international activists are reported to have been killed and 50 others injured in the incident.

(Press TV)