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Let's move on to our next big issue.
Our reporter, Giannis Kanellakis is trying to enter Gaza.
He sent us a tense video which we have edited.
In addition to that, it's our honor to have with us today...
someone who led this story, Mr. Vangelis Pissias.
-He was the leader of the mission. -Not a leader, just in charge of it.
You were in charge of "Arion" and you were charged with it too.
In a way, yes. Many people have helped, though.
You made a gigantic effort to break the Israeli's blockade.
You didn't make it, though.
We didn't, but we didn't expect to make it, either.
We had other goals and we've reached many of them.
Let's greet Mr. Jean Cohen.
Let's watch this shattering video Spyros Psarakis has prepared.
We'll use all necessary measures to prevent you from proceeding.
It is the moment the Israeli navy is giving a strict ultimatum to "Arion"...
which, having sailed from Larnaca, Cyprus, carries a medicine freight to Gaza strip.
We're halfway to Gaza, 110 miles from Larnaca and 110 miles from Gaza.
We're surrounded by four Israeli navy ships.
They're asking our captain through the VHF to return to Cyprus.
They've blocked us and we can't move on.
Vangelis Pissias, the captain and others are negotiating.
We hope we'll manage to get to Gaza.
It's very hard, though, because they've threatened to shoot us...
if we don't obey their orders.
Angelos Tsatsis, get this on video fast or you might get hurt.
Don't get out. You might get hurt.
It was 1:30 a.m. and "Arion" was 100 miles off Gaza...
when Israeli navy asked for an identification and route information.
We have visual contact.
Five minutes later, after having answered Israeli's questions...
"Arion" is being asked to leave the area.
We are waiting your response regarding our demand that you return to Larnaca.
The mission ignores the ultimatum and decides to move on to Gaza...
stressing that they're carrying medicines and doctors.
At 2:15 a.m., five Israeli ships aim at "Arion" with their searchlights...
and throw flare bombs asking them to leave the blocked area.
They've asked us to wait.
We're on stand-by!
We haven't stopped. We're on our route.
A demarche must be made now. We're on the edge.
We're surrounded in international waters!
They started an illegal war on us in international waters.
We had to employ in psychological warfare either we wanted it or not.
Israeli ships start manoeuvring dangerously...
reminding "Dignity"'s ramming on December 30, 2008 in the same area.
The passengers of "Arion" feel uneasy.
Do something fast. Last time you saw that they act in a presumptuous manner.
After 3:00 a.m., a new Israeli ultimatum is received.
They threaten to shoot at them if they don't turn back.
Vangelis, he said they'll shoot. What do you want us to do?
Everybody is silent aboard "Arion".
An Israeli staff officer warns that they'll shoot if "Arion" doesn't leave now.
We'll use all necessary measures to prevent you from proceeding.
After 2 hours of hard negotiations, under 6 Bft. conditions...
they decide to return to Larnaca...
since Israelis refuse to allow them sail to Egypt or Beirut.
The waves are on our side.
If we turn and face them, we'll have them against us.
Let's keep them on our side then.
We can go to Limassol instead of Larnaca.
"Arion" was carrying 8 tons of medicine, 300 boxes of milk...
and 21 passengers: 6 journalists, 3 doctors, 2 MPs of Italy and Spain...
and 10 crew members and Free Gaza activists.
We're not going back giving up. We'll return.
The Greek government cannot tolerate Greek and European citizens being threatened to death.
I didn't make it to Gaza to help fellow doctors under the circumstances.
Before sailing from Larnaca, "Arion" was dressed with 6mm sheet irons...
due to the threatens received by mission participants.
Israelis wouldn't let "Arion" reach Gaza at any cost.
The Israeli government claims that everything was a PR trick against Israel...
and that some passengers of "Arion" are friendly to Hamas.
"Arion" first sailed on Tuesday, 4:15 p.m., with 35 passengers:
6 doctors, 5 european MPs and TV journalists.
After 4 hours, the ship faced a technical problem 40 miles south of Larnaca...
and it had to return.
Some passengers, including international TV networks reporters...
having information the ship will be engaged with Israeli navy, prefered to disembark.
Greek TV station "Mega Channel" , with Giannis Kanellakis and Angelos Tsatsis...
is the only TV station that stayed on board...
along with three other foreign and three Greek journalists.
According to information, about 100 Israeli navy ships are used for the Gaza blockade.
People in charge of the mission would love to live moments like these...
which they faced when they arrived to Gaza in August.
They're not giving up, though, and they say they'll keep on trying.