blockade

Italy's defence minister has condemned what he said was an overnight drone attack by unidentified perpetrators on a flotilla trying to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza to deliver aid.

The IPC, the world body that assesses food emergencies, says famine caused by the Israeli blockade of Gaza is present and spreading.

Mali's military government has sought to calm anger over a blockade by Islamist militants on major highways where lorry drivers have been facing ambushes and arson attacks.

That is a reference to the blockade that has produced a famine as well as widespread starvation, according to the IPC, the international body that assesses food emergencies.

Then, in early March this year, Israel began a total blockade of aid into Gaza.