The Israeli navy has intercepted a boat carrying female pro-Palestinian activists trying to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and said it was escorting the vessel to shore. The Israeli military said the interception had been brief and there had been no injuries, unlike the 2010 takeover of an international flotilla in which 10 Turks were killed in clashes with Israeli troops. He said the goal was “symbolic” — to call attention to the Israeli naval blockade, which he said was illegal. They have to act and express their non-acceptance of this situation.”Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza after Hamas seized power in 2007. In a statement on Wednesday, the Israeli military said the navy carried out the raid after exhausting all diplomatic channels.

Source: The Guardian October 05, 2016 19:30 UTC