A Palestinian boat attempting to challenge Israel's 11-year maritime blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory was intercepted by Israel on Tuesday.

The boat, which carried 17 Palestinians, accompanied by several smaller vessels, planned to sail out of the blockade zone of no more than six nautical miles (9.6 km) imposed by Israel. But it only managed to sail for nine nautical miles, said the organizer the Palestinian National Committee.

The committee was also the organizer of the recent massive anti-Israeli Palestinian protests known as the "Great March of Return" held since March 30.

The sailing aimed to break the blockade that Israel imposed on Gaza when Islamic Hamas movement seized the enclave by force in 2007 after routing Palestinian security forces.

The passengers on board included injured Palestinians seeking medical attention abroad, college students and graduates who seek jobs in other countries. Hundreds of Palestinians gathered at the pier to witness the voyage.

"We demand to break the blockade. I hope to seek medical treatment in other Arabic countries because of my injury. The attempt to sail today aims to help us break the blockade," said a wounded participant named Mohammed Abu Eidah.

While the chairman of the State Committee to "Break the Siege on Gaza" Alaa Albadao said that they will continue their protests along the borders.

"Our sailing aims to send out a signal that we will continue our protests, like those protests along the borders. All Palestinians from different factions will stage protests until they get basic rights and Israel ends their occupations and blockade," said Alaa Albadao.

Although Israeli government did not comment on the sailing, the Palestinian committee said in a statement that the Israeli military claimed to have intercepted the Palestinian vessel after it went out for over nine miles.

The committee held Israel responsible for the safety of the people on board.

The sailing of the boat coincides with the eighth anniversary of Israel's raid on an international flotilla that attempted to break the Israeli blockade, in which eight people were killed and dozens of others injured.