4 July 2011 - 19:30

A small French boat has left Greek waters overnight and set sail for the Gaza Strip in an effort to break Israel's blockade of the Palestinian coastal sliver.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Dignite El Karameh is so far the only boat in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla II to set off for Gaza from Greece.

Greek coast guards on Monday intercepted a Canadian boat setting sail on a humanitarian mission to the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Canadian Tahrir (Liberation) with at least 50 pro-Palestinian activists onboard departed the Greek island of Crete despite Athens' ban on all Gaza-bound ships leaving Greek ports.

Activists say the boat was encircled by Greek vessels about 10 minutes after leaving the harbor and was toed back to the port.

Activists onboard the boat said Greek troops took control of the boast by force, but there were no reports of clashes or injuries, a Press TV correspondent reported.

It was the third vessel from the Gaza Freedom Flotilla II to be barred from sailing for the besieged Palestinian territory from Greece.

A French vessel's attempt to sail to Gaza was also thwarted on Monday by the Greek coast guard officials.

The Louise Michel, with 24 passengers on board, was circled by Greek vessels as it started up its engines.

Also on Friday, the US Audacity of Hope boat was prevented from leaving Greece and its captain was arrested.

Activists from the US boat had begun a hunger strike in front of the US embassy on Sunday to protest against the arrest of Captain John Klusmer, but they were quickly moved away by police.

Members of the flotilla say the Greek government is blocking the humanitarian flotilla on behalf of the Israeli regime.

Greece has recently expanded its relations with Israel, as the two sides are currently holding preliminary talks on potential energy deals.

The cash-strapped Greek government is also currently seeking additional sources of overseas investment, possibly from Israel, to offset its financial crisis.

The Tel Aviv regime has ordered the Israeli navy to use all possible means to prevent the incoming international aid flotilla from reaching the Gaza Strip, but the Gaza Freedom Flotilla II organizers insist that they will push ahead with their aid mission.

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