Israel threatens to board Gaza-bound Libyan aid ship

London, July 14 (ANI): Israel has warned that it would attempt to board a Libyan aid ship stationed off the coast of Gaza last night.

According to The Telegraph, Israeli commanders relayed a message to the MV Almathea, which had been chartered by a charity run by the son and heir of Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, ordering it to change course or face interception.

The freighter, carrying 2,000 tonnes of food and medicine as well as 15 pro-Palestinian activists, showed no signs of heeding the Israel demands.

In response to a demand to identify its course, an activist speaking on the ship's radio was heard to respond: "No weapons, no guns, no weapons on board."

An Israeli military spokesman said preparations to board the ship were under way unless it agreed to dock instead in the Israeli port of Ashdod or the Egyptian port of el-Arish, where the activists initially declared the vessel was bound.

"If it deviates from its initial declaration to enter el-Arish it will not be allowed to enter Gaza," the spokesman said.

He added: "Taking it over is a last resort, but it is a resort. If they don't divert, we will take the ship over." (ANI)