The aid flotilla has reportedly already made it closer to the Strip than the Madleen flotilla that was stopped by Israeli forces last month. Activists aboard the Handala ship said on Saturday that they are approaching the coast of the Gaza Strip and have already passed the point where the Madleenflotilla was stopped last month.

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian on new humanitarian efforts in the Strip, a visit to Gaza City. and the new Freedom Flotilla ship stopped off the coast of Egypt

The local pause in fighting came days after ceasefire efforts between Israel and Hamas appeared to be in doubt.

The vessel Handala was seeking to break the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory. Israeli military detained 21 international activists and journalists and seized all cargo.