Israeli navy on alert as Libyan aid ship heads for Gaza

You —

A Libyan ship carrying aid and activists is heading for Gaza in a mission that Israel has described as an "unnecessary provocation".

The Israeli navy is monitoring the vessel's progress and preparing to intervene if it continues on a course to Gaza.

"I say very clearly, no ship will arrive in Gaza. We will not permit our sovereignty to be harmed," the foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said in a radio broadcast.

Read more @ The Guardian

It is expected to arrive on wednesday but I suspect it will be re-routed to Egypt this time.

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You — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 - 16:00

Israel navy begins efforts to stop Libyan aid ship

The Israeli military says it has begun efforts to try to stop a Libyan aid ship from reaching Gaza.

The navy has made contact with the vessel, but its commandos have not boarded the ship, a spokeswoman said.

The Amalthea is expected to reach Gaza's territorial waters on Wednesday, Palestinian and Israeli reports said.

Read more @ BBC News

You — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 - 05:20

Israel warships monitoring Gaza-bound Libyan aid ship

Israeli navy vessels are shadowing a Libyan-chartered ship carrying aid for Gaza, in defiance of the blockade, amid confusion about its final destination.

The Gaddafi Foundation insists the Moldovan-flagged Amalthea is ignoring a warning from Israel to change course.

However, Egyptian and Israeli officials say its captain has agreed to divert to the Egyptian port of El-Arish. The crew are also complaining of engine trouble.

Read more @ BBC News

You — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 - 21:52

[quote=You]It is surprising how many ships who have tried to break the siege on Gaza have reported engine trouble... Me thinks conspiracy or espionage.[/quote]

It seems I was wrong about this on this occasion - this was used to buy time inorder to try and get some breakthrough in negotiations, but they failed and the ship went to Egypt.