A US group calling itself the Palestinian Popular Committee Against the Siege plans to sail to Gaza from Cyprus to protest what they call an Israeli 'siege' of the area.

A ship, named "Free Gaza", is to set sail from the Mediterranean island with medical supplies, and organizers expect the ship to be detained by the Israeli navy.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society of Gaza is expected to welcome the ship. Jamal al-Khodari, chief of the PPCAS, says, "in case Israeli naval forces block the vessel to head for Gaza waters, it won't return."