Israeli troops begin intercepting vessels from a flotilla trying to breach the Gaza blockade

Israeli troops began intercepting vessels Tuesday that were part of a flotilla attempting to break Israel’s maritime blockade on Gaza. The Israeli navy said it had intercepted four small boats — two from Germany and one each from Canada and the Netherlands. Israel says the flotilla is a publicity stunt by pro-Palestinian groups, but organizers say they have permits for all their vessels and that their goal is to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The interception of these boats comes at a tense time between Israel and Hamas, with ongoing rocket fire from Gaza into southern I…