Israel intercepts Gaza-bound aid flotilla boats

JERUSALEM, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Israel has begun taking control of aid ships bound for Gaza far from its shores, Israeli sources said on Thursday.

The state-owned Army Radio reported that the navy had begun intercepting a flotilla, without providing further details.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein released video footage that he said was taken aboard one of the ships, claiming it shows that drugs were found there.

The spokesperson did not specify how many vessels were involved or where the interceptions took place.

The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid to Palestinians in war-battered Gaza, departed from Barcelona, Spain, on April 12, aiming to challenge the Israeli blockade. ■