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Lebanese Samar Al Hajj (centre), one of the organisers of Mariam ship that plans to sail to Gaza Strip, speaks during a press conference in front Mariam ship, at the seaport of Tripoli, in Lebanon. Image Credit: AP

Beirut: The organisers of a Lebanese ship hoping to break Israel's Gaza blockade say they have postponed the trip after Cyprus refused the vessel entry.

The ship, the Mariam, cannot travel directly to Gaza because Lebanon is technically at war with Israel, forcing the boat to pass through a third country before heading to the Palestinian territory.

Organisers said on Sunday they are in contact with Greek authorities to allow the ship to dock there before proceeding to Gaza. They did not give a new departure date.

The ship will carry aid and activists, organisers say.

Israel has urged Lebanon to prevent the vessel from sailing to Gaza.

The Lebanese expedition comes after Israeli commandos boarded a flotilla of Gaza-bound ships on May 31, killing nine activists.