Flotilla left Cyprus Sunday , was due to arrive in Gaza on Monday . Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said Israeli civilians were plagued a year ago by rockets and missiles fired from Gaza that originated in places like Iran and Syria . The ships -- three passenger and three cargo vessels -- were carrying over 10,000 tons of cargo . Israel government described the flotilla as a ` ` provocation '' and said it was a political move . Accounts differ as to what happened after Israeli forces boarded the ship .
Flotilla left Cyprus Sunday , was due to arrive in Gaza on Monday . The ships -- three passenger and three cargo vessels -- were carrying over 10,000 tons of cargo . Israel government described the flotilla as a ` ` provocation '' and said it was a political move . Accounts differ as to what happened after Israeli forces boarded the ship .