Israel turns back boat carrying supplies to Gaza

The Israeli navy has turned back a protest boat trying to bring humanitarian supplies by sea into the Gaza Strip.

The shipment was organised by Mayo man Derek Graham, who has accused the Israelis of ramming his vessel to prevent it from reaching the Gaza shore.

Israel's Foreign Ministry says the boat ignored orders to turn back and tried to outmanoeuvre the Israeli navy.

Pro-Palestinian activists have sailed several small boats loaded with supplies into the Gaza Strip from Cyprus in recent months in defiance of an Israeli economic blockade on the territory.