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BBC News - Israeli navy 'intercepts' Rachel Corrie Gaza aid ship
Israel has intercepted the latest aid ship attempting to break its blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Israel's navy says it has not boarded the ship, but it has warned it will not let the Irish-owned MV Rachel Corrie reach Gaza.
It comes days after Israeli troops stormed a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Clashes on board left nine people dead.
That raid brought strong condemnation of Israel, especially from Turkey where most of the victims were from.
The BBC's Jon Donnison in Gaza says it is unclear exactly what is happening but it seems that the ship is being flanked by Israeli naval vessels.
He says the Israeli military is sticking to its position and is insisting that the ship will be diverted to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
The Free Gaza Movement's Mary Hughes Thompson, in Cyprus, told the BBC that Israeli boats were tracking their ship but had not made contact.
She said those on board were feeling "quite euphoric" and were still hoping to go to Gaza.
The activists had earlier said they would not resist any Israeli attempts to stop the ship.
The Rachel Corrie is named after a US college student who was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer as she protested over house demolitions in Gaza.
Condemnation
Israel has instructed the ship to dock at Ashdod, promising that the aid will be taken by road to Gaza.
The US urged the activists to do what the Israelis asked. However Irish Nobel peace laureate Mairead Maguire, who is aboard the ship, insisted it would not be diverted.
Activists said there were 20 people on board the Rachel Corrie, including five Irish nationals, six Malaysians and nine crew members.
The ship had been a part of the previous flotilla, but was delayed by technical problems.
The international outcry over Israel's actions when it intercepted the last flotilla has still not abated.
Accounts differ as to what happened when Israeli soldiers rapelled from helicopters on to the Turkish passenger ship Mavi Marmara in the early hours of Monday.
Israel says their commandos were attacked with sticks and knives and used their weapons in self-defence. Activists say troops opened fire without provocation.
Israel has intercepted the latest aid ship attempting to break its blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Israel's navy says it has not boarded the ship, but it has warned it will not let the Irish-owned MV Rachel Corrie reach Gaza.
It comes days after Israeli troops stormed a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Clashes on board left nine people dead.
That raid brought strong condemnation of Israel, especially from Turkey where most of the victims were from.
The BBC's Jon Donnison in Gaza says it is unclear exactly what is happening but it seems that the ship is being flanked by Israeli naval vessels.
He says the Israeli military is sticking to its position and is insisting that the ship will be diverted to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
The Free Gaza Movement's Mary Hughes Thompson, in Cyprus, told the BBC that Israeli boats were tracking their ship but had not made contact.
She said those on board were feeling "quite euphoric" and were still hoping to go to Gaza.
The activists had earlier said they would not resist any Israeli attempts to stop the ship.
The Rachel Corrie is named after a US college student who was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer as she protested over house demolitions in Gaza.
Condemnation
Israel has instructed the ship to dock at Ashdod, promising that the aid will be taken by road to Gaza.
The US urged the activists to do what the Israelis asked. However Irish Nobel peace laureate Mairead Maguire, who is aboard the ship, insisted it would not be diverted.
Activists said there were 20 people on board the Rachel Corrie, including five Irish nationals, six Malaysians and nine crew members.
The ship had been a part of the previous flotilla, but was delayed by technical problems.
The international outcry over Israel's actions when it intercepted the last flotilla has still not abated.
Accounts differ as to what happened when Israeli soldiers rapelled from helicopters on to the Turkish passenger ship Mavi Marmara in the early hours of Monday.
Israel says their commandos were attacked with sticks and knives and used their weapons in self-defence. Activists say troops opened fire without provocation.
