Dozens of boats from the humanitarian aid Sumud Flotilla continued to sail towards Gaza as the US announced a peace plan to stop the conflict in the enclave.

Drone views showed the boats cruising the Mediterranean Sea eastward with Palestinian flags waving from the masts.

Some of the boats seem to be less than 500 kilometres from the Gaza strip.

The US plan calls for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, living and dead, no further Israeli attacks on Qatar and a new dialogue between Israel and Palestinians for “peaceful coexistence”.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is using about 50 civilian boats to try to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, an initiative Israel strongly opposes.

Many lawyers, parliamentarians, and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, are on board.

Its passage across the Mediterranean has raised international tensions, especially after it said it was attacked by drones this week.

No one was hurt, but Italy and Spain have dispatched naval ships to provide assistance to their and other European citizens on the flotilla.

One of the activists in the flotilla said earlier the plan was “an insult to human intelligence and dignity” and accused Israel of violating international law and therefore having “no legitimacy in any peace process.”