Israel Matzav

Update on the Libyan attempted blockade bust

Israel News reports at 7:00 pm that the Navy is preparing to stop the Libyan ship. An al-Jazeera correspondent on board says that the ship is going to Gaza, and Hamas has called on it to do so - not to deliver goods but to create a sea lane.

Earlier today, the ship's operators vowed to proceed to Gaza, even though the owners had said earlier that it would go to the Egyptian port of El Arish.

The Gadhafi International Charity and Development Foundation said its boat refused to alter its destination and will steam on for Gaza.

The foundation said in a statement posted on its website Tuesday that the Israeli vessel was continuing to shadow the aid ship.

...

The ship's intentions appeared conflicted. Earlier Tuesday, one of the owners of the Amalthea said that the crew would unload its humanitarian goods in the Egyptian port of el-Arish if refused permission to reach Gaza.

"If this is the only option put forward by the Israeli authorities, we will choose to sail to the port of el-Arish and transfer the assistance by ground to Gaza," Greek businessman Aleksei Angeolopoulos said in an interview with the Arabic newspaper Ashraq al-Awsat.

However, it appeared the ship was now resolutely sailing toward Gaza, rather than agreeing to dock in a neighboring port.

Angeolopoulos told Israeli authorities that, "the ship is carrying humanitarian aid and food and there are no weapons or prohibited materials, as claimed by Israel."

"If Israel wants, the Israeli navy is invited to board the ship and to search it so that they can see with their own eyes that it is only carrying food and allow it to continue to the port of Gaza."

Arutz Sheva reported earlier today that the Navy has given the ship until midnight on Tuesday night to change course or be stopped.

Israel has given the Gaza-bound Libyan boat a deadline of midnight to change course or face interception, the Pakistani News reported Tuesday afternoon.

"Israeli authorities have given us until midnight tonight to change course and head to the port of El-Arish [Egypt]; otherwise they are threatening to intercept the boat with their navy," said Mashallah Zwei, one of the organizers of the sailing aimed at challenging Israel’s sovereignty over the coast off of Hamas-controlled Gaza.

The News identified Zwei as a member of the Qaddafi Foundation, an alleged charity. He said by satellite phone that the request would be "studied before a response is given." The foundation said that the Israeli Navy is “shadowing” its vessel, named the Almathea, which will reach Gaza Wednesday morning if it continues on its present course and at current speed.

I'll try to keep you posted.

Israel Radio now reports that the ship is 120km (about 80 miles) from the coast.

UPDATE WEDNESDAY 1:29 AM

The IDF denies giving an ultimatum.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:56 PM