A flotilla of aid ships left a port in Cyprus on Sunday afternoon bound for the Gaza Strip.<br /><br />A total of six ships were expected to set sail carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists destined for Gaza in defiance of an Israeli embargo on the Palestinian territory. <br /><br />The flotilla from Turkey, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Greece, Kuwait and Algeria is carrying roughly 10,000 tonnes of aid, including cement, water-purification systems and wheelchairs.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Jamal El-shayyal is on board the Mavi Marmara, the lead ship in the Freedom Flotilla.<br /><br />In this video blog, he looks at what is on board and how the 600 passengers are coping with what is already proving to be a difficult mission. (30 May 2010)
