Athens/Nicosia  - A boat carrying international peace activists and medical supplies for the embattled Gaza Strip left the Cypriot port of Larnaca on Monday after a similar effort to deliver aid was thwarted by Israel last month.

A representative for the Greek-flagged Arion vessel, with 30 peace activists from the US "Free Gaza" group, 15 doctors and European parliamentarians, said it would attempt to break through the Israeli blockade and enter Gaza carrying relief supplies.

"We know it is difficult to break through the blockade. We must try however, because of the dramatic situation to reach Gaza. We hope to reach there on Tuesday by noon," Greek Cypriot parliamentarian Sofia Sakorafa said in a radio interview.

Aside from peace activists and physicians, other passengers on the vessel include parliamentarians from Greece, Spain and Belgium.

Another boat carrying activists and medical supplies for the Gaza Strip was turned back and damaged by the Israeli navy on December 30.

Israeli officials said an Israeli navy ship had intercepted the SS Dignity, claiming it had ignored an Israeli radio order to turn back as it approached Gaza.

But passengers and crew aboard the SS Dignity disputed the Israeli account, saying the Israeli vessel rammed the ship while it was sailing in international waters.

The Free Gaza group has made five deliveries of aid by boat to Gaza since August, defying a blockade imposed by Israel when Hamas won control of the territory in June
2007. dpa