JERUSALEM: More than a dozen activists being held by Israel after their aid boat was intercepted en route to Gaza launched a hunger strike on Monday to protest their detention, according to a local NGO assisting them. At least five of the 21 passengers of the Freedom Flotilla vessel Handala have agreed to be summarily deported after the boat was stopped and boarded by the Israeli navy while attempting to break a military blockade of the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

Footage appears to show the moment Israeli forces intercept an aid ship heading for Gaza on Saturday evening (26 July). The Freedom Flotilla Coalition released a statement saying…

A livestream (pictured) broadcast by the pro-Palestinian campaign group showed the soldiers taking control of the 'Handala' vessel on Saturday.