IHH reconsidering its Gaza flotilla plan

Diplomatic sources spoke yesterday about a "window of opportunity" to repair Turkish-Israeli ties following Turkey's weekend general elections, if a Turkish aid group suspends plans to send a flotilla to break the Gaza blockade later this month. On Tuesday, the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), which last year sent a smaller aid flotilla that was raided by Israel forces, leading to the deaths of nine peace activists, signaled that it might cancel its plans for this year depending on regional developments, especially those in neighboring Syria. Although IHH officials said that the government had not taken any action against the flotilla, it was suggested that Ankara urged the group to reconsider its decision. Meanwhile, the Israeli military is preparing for the new flotilla, due to set sail in late June.