Gaza flotilla delays departure blaming Israeli pressure

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition delayed the departure of their ships to Gaza, which were supposed to set sail today.

The organisation accused Israel of pressuring the Republic of Guinea Bissau to withdraw its flag from their lead ship, Akdeniz, triggering "request for an additional inspection, this one by the flag state".

"This is another example of Israel obstructing the delivery of life-saving aid to the people in Gaza who face a deliberately created famine," the group's statement read. "How many more children will die of malnutrition and dehydration because of this delay and an ongoing siege which must be broken?"

They added that they expect this hurdle to not cause more than a few days delay.

"Israel will not break our resolve to reach the Palestinians of Gaza."