RAMALLAH, May 27 (JMCC) - Activists on board eight boats soon to set sail for the Gaza Strip are prepared to defy an Israeli sea cordon, says a coordinator in touch with them from Gaza.

The Freedom Flotilla will be launched Friday from Cyprus carrying 10,000 metric tons of aid, and 750 activists from 40 different countries, said Jamal Khodari, head of the Gaza Committee to Break the Siege.

They have not backed down from their decision to enter Gaza by sea [and to] break the siege imposed upon it, said Khodari.

The ships are expected to arrive Saturday, says Khodari, and Gazans are anxiously preparing to receive the aid, which includes building materials, generators and children's games.

Khodari said that Israeli warships can be seen stationed off the Gaza coast in wait. Israeli officials have announced that they will not allow the fleet of ships to reach Gaza.

Speaking before the Knesset on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied that Gaza's closure is causing a humanitarian crisis. He said that if someone wants to provide Gaza with aid, they can do it through Israeli ports.