Gaza aid flotilla set to head east from Greece

An international aid flotilla was set to leave Greek waters and head towards Gaza on Friday, organisers said on Friday.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is using about 50 civilian boats to try to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. Many lawyers, parliamentarians, and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, are on board.

Its passage across the Mediterranean has raised international tensions, especially after it said it was attacked by drones this week. No one was hurt, but Italy and Spain have dispatched naval ships to provide assistance to their and other European citizens on the flotilla.

Greece said it would guarantee the safe sailing of the flotilla off Greece, but Friday's launch will take the flotilla back into international waters in the eastern Mediterranean. Organisers said the boats aim to arrive early next week.