Six weeks after it drew a world outcry by killing nine Turks in the botched boarding of another ship that tried to reach the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory, Israel said it would turn away or seize the cargo vessel Amalthea — renamed "Hope" by activists.
A charity chaired by Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi's son, Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi, said in a statement an Israeli warship was near the Moldovan-flagged Amalthea, which left Greece on Saturday for what would normally be a three-day voyage to Gaza.
In response to the Israeli order to head for the Egyptian port of El Arish, "the captain of the Libyan ship and the head of the foundation team on board reaffirmed that the ship's destination is Gaza and no other place," the charity said.
An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed that a "process of identification and communication" with the vessel, some 160 km from the Gaza coast, had begun but said the ship had not been boarded.
"The Israeli navy has launched preparations and activity to stop the Libyan ship," she said.
After the May 31 interception of the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara, Israel eased overland commerce with Gaza but maintained the naval blockade in what it called a precaution against arms reaching the Hamas, with whom it fought a war last year.
On June 5, the navy commandeered Irish-owned aid ship Rachel Corrie after it refused orders to turn back or dock in Israel for its cargo to be vetted for possible transfer to Gaza.
International criticism of Israel, led by former stalwart Muslim ally Turkey, has focused on the continued hardship inflicted on Gaza's 1.5 million Palestinians, many of whom depend on UN aid handouts.
There has also been rancor over the limited powers and mandate of two internal Israeli investigations into the killings aboard the Mavi Marmara by marine commandos who said they opened fire after being set upon by passengers wielding clubs, knives and a gun. Activists aboard the ship disputed that account.
Tuesday saw publication of the conclusions of the first inquiry by a military panel that faulted a lack of planning in the high seas interception but found the lethal force warranted.
Following the release of the Israeli report, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said his country will keep pushing for an international inquiry into the deadly raid.
He told reporters that he welcomed the fact that the report acknowledged that "mistakes" were made. But he said the Israeli commandos had committed "a crime" and said Turkey wants an international probe.
Organizers said the Amalthea, with 12 crew and up to 10 activists on board, carried 2,000 tons of food and medicine and complied with international shipping regulations.
Hamas made clear it saw value to the ship beyond the cargo.
"This story is not related only to delivering humanitarian goods, but also to breaking the siege on Gaza and opening a sea lane," Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said, noting that Egypt, which also borders Gaza, was maintaining its own closure.
Meanwhile, a group of Jordanian activists and trade unionists set off for Gaza on Tuesday to deliver aid relief and medical supplies overland from Egypt, organizers said.
"The convoy left today for Gaza... 150 people including unionists, journalists and academics as well as 25 vehicles carrying supplies and medical aid," said Alaa Borqan, spokesman for the trade unions.
