The president of the UN top human rights body says the commission on possible violations of the rules of war in Gaza is "operational" despite the decision by George Clooney’s fiancée to pull out of the panel.

A group of human rights organisations says it is organising a flotilla of vessels that will attempt to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza later this year.

A coalition of pro-Palestinian groups said today it plans to send a second aid flotilla to Gaza, dismissing Israel's promise to ease its blockade as not bold enough and defying Israeli warnings against any new sea-based activist operation.