A flotilla carrying Palestinian civilians departed yesterday from Gaza in an attempt to break an Israeli-imposed blockade on the Strip.

Footage shows protesters gathering on a beach near the northern security fence border with Israel as the fleet leaves the port.

Demonstrators can be seen setting fire to tires moments before Israeli forces fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Demonstrators can also be seen hurling slings from the beach.

Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza since 2007 when Hamas seized control of the Strip. Israel controls the coastal Palestinian enclave, forcing fishermen to work within a designated fishing zone.

Attempts have been made to break the on-going blockade by sending boats from Gaza for Israel’s territorial waters and vice-versa to breach the maritime blockade.