JERUSALEM—A Libyan ship bearing the flag of Moldova was intercepted by the Israeli Navy at sea on its way to Gaza late Tuesday afternoon.
The Al-Amal left port in Athens on Saturday and according to the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), initial communication was made with the ship at 4:00 p.m. local time. Within an hour of establishing contact, the navy was preparing to stop the boat if it attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza.
The IDF sent updates on developments via Twitter Tuesday afternoon that were also posted on their official website.
The NGO that sponsored the ship, the Libyan-based Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation, also posted updates on their website Tuesday. According to the organization, an Israeli gunboat intercepted Al-Amal and asked the ship’s Captain to go to Egypt’s El Arish port. They say the Israeli gunboat crew told them they would not be allowed into Gaza.
Gaddafi International posted an update earlier in the day saying that they were advancing toward Gaza “amid Israeli condemnation and refusal to allow it to anchor in Gaza port and threats to resort to force in dealing with it.”
The organization says the boat is carrying 2,000 tons of goods for residents of Gaza, but Israel has continued to strictly enforce a blockade on allowing unauthorized goods to enter the area.
The Al-Amal left port in Athens on Saturday and according to the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), initial communication was made with the ship at 4:00 p.m. local time. Within an hour of establishing contact, the navy was preparing to stop the boat if it attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza.
The IDF sent updates on developments via Twitter Tuesday afternoon that were also posted on their official website.
The NGO that sponsored the ship, the Libyan-based Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation, also posted updates on their website Tuesday. According to the organization, an Israeli gunboat intercepted Al-Amal and asked the ship’s Captain to go to Egypt’s El Arish port. They say the Israeli gunboat crew told them they would not be allowed into Gaza.
Gaddafi International posted an update earlier in the day saying that they were advancing toward Gaza “amid Israeli condemnation and refusal to allow it to anchor in Gaza port and threats to resort to force in dealing with it.”
The organization says the boat is carrying 2,000 tons of goods for residents of Gaza, but Israel has continued to strictly enforce a blockade on allowing unauthorized goods to enter the area.
