Israeli forces boarding Gaza-bound flotilla near Cyprus, activists say

Pro-Palestinian activists say Israeli forces are intercepting a flotilla of more than 50 boats carrying aid for Gaza in international waters west of Cyprus.The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) said its fleet was being boarded in what it called an illegal act of piracy about 250 nautical miles (460km) from Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade. Its video stream showed armed commandos climbing onto several boats.There was no immediate comment from Israel. Earlier, its foreign ministry described the flotilla as "a provocation for the sake of provocation" and said it involved "two violent Turkish groups".Last month, Israeli forces intercepted 22 boats from the same flotilla near Crete.In that incident, about 175 activists on board were detained, all but two of whom were released on the Greek island the next day following widespread international condemnation.Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Ávila were taken back to Israel for questioning and deported after spending 10 days in custody.The flotilla's remaining boats then sailed to the Turkish port of Marmaris, where about 50 boats departed last Thursday and headed south-east towards Gaza.Activists on board said they needed to reach Gaza to provide much-needed aid to Palestinians in the territory, where living conditions are dire and most of the 2.1 million population is displaced, despite the ceasefire agreed by Israel and Hamas seven months ago.