Sri Lanka, Sept. 16 -- A flotilla of 18 vessels carrying pro-Palestinian activists has left the Tunisian port of Bizerte in what organizers called the largest attempt yet to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, Tunisia's state news agency TAP reported on Monday.

In total, 22 multinational ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla were anchored in Bizerte, where they were welcomed by local residents, civil society groups, and Tunisian authorities. The Red Crescent provided medical support and supplies. A port official said four other vessels remained docked for repairs.

The first vessel to depart was the Spanish-flagged Marinat, which sailed on Saturday. The last to leave on Monday was the Algerian ship Sultana, carrying 12 passengers f...