Jerusalem: Israeli naval forces boarded and took over an activist vessel seeking to break the Gaza blockade, and were escorting it to an Israeli port early today, the military said, saying that the navy did not use force.
"In accordance with international law, the Israeli Navy advised the vessel several times to change course," it said in a statement.
"Following their refusal the Navy visited and searched the vessel in international waters in order to prevent their intended breach of the maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip."
"The forces have reported that use of force was unnecessary, and that the process was uneventful," it added. "The vessel is currently being escorted to Ashdod Port and is expected to arrive within 12-24 hours."
A military spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that the vessel was the Swedish-flagged Marianne of Gothenburg, part of the so-called Freedom Flotilla III, a convoy of four ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists including Arab-Israeli lawmaker Basel Ghattas, Tunisia's former president Moncef Marzouki and at least one European lawmaker.
There was no immediate word on the other three ships, which a reporter on the Marianne had said on Sunday were sailing some way behind it.
"This flotilla is nothing but a demonstration of hypocrisy and lies that is only assisting the Hamas terrorist organisation and ignores all of the horrors in our region," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today in a statement congratulating the Israeli forces involved.
"Preventing entry by sea was done in accordance with international law and even received backing from a committee of the UN Secretary General," he said.
"In accordance with international law, the Israeli Navy advised the vessel several times to change course," it said in a statement.
"Following their refusal the Navy visited and searched the vessel in international waters in order to prevent their intended breach of the maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip."
A military spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that the vessel was the Swedish-flagged Marianne of Gothenburg, part of the so-called Freedom Flotilla III, a convoy of four ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists including Arab-Israeli lawmaker Basel Ghattas, Tunisia's former president Moncef Marzouki and at least one European lawmaker.
Advertisement
"This flotilla is nothing but a demonstration of hypocrisy and lies that is only assisting the Hamas terrorist organisation and ignores all of the horrors in our region," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today in a statement congratulating the Israeli forces involved.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Netanyahu Denies Reports Of Speaking To Trump Over Gaza Ceasefire Trump Speaks With Netanyahu Over Gaza Truce And Hostage Deal: Report Israel Agrees To Resume Gaza Truce Talks On August 15 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Tear Gas Fired After Kolkata Protest Against Doctor's Rape-Murder Turns Violent "Pivotal Moment": Key Doctor Body Resumes Strike 2 Days After Calling It Off Rahul Gandhi's Seat At Red Fort Triggers Fresh Congress Attack On BJP Monkeypox Virus Killed 548 People In This Nation Since Start Of 2024 Tiger Attacks 5 After Escaping From Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.