A Turkish boat has opted out of an international aid flotilla headed to the Gaza Strip later this month in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade around the Palestinian territory.

Aid organizers said Friday that the Mavi Marmara will not join the estimated 10 other ships because of technical problems.

The Turkish ship was boarded by Israeli commandos last year when it last tried to break the Israeli blockade, resulting in a confrontation that left nine activists dead.

Israel has said it will stop any pro-Palestinian vessel from trying to bypass its security cordon and reach Gaza, defending its security measures as a means of preventing any weapons from reaching the territory.

International leaders have called on the aid organizers to cancel their upcoming flotilla to prevent any clashes.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has reminded activists that Egypt's recent opening of the Rafah border crossing had effectively ended Gaza's isolation.