Thaindian News

JERUSALEM (BNO NEWS) — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday said the Gaza-bound ‘Rachel Corrie’ has ignored two invitations to dock at Ashdod port, where its cargo would be inspected and then transfered to the Gaza Strip.

“This is the Israeli Navy. You are approaching an area of hostilities which is under a naval blockade,” the military said in a radio transmission to the vessel, according to the military. “The Gaza area, coastal region and Gaza Harbor are closed to all maritime traffic. The Israeli government supports delivery of humanitarian supplies to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and invites you to enter the Ashdod port.”

The vessel was about 30 miles (48 kilometers) to 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the Gaza shore when the warnings were made.

Up until 9.30 a.m. local time (2.30 a.m. EDT / 6.30 a.m. GMT), there were no reports of violence despite earlier media reports that cited the Free Gaza Movement as saying that Israeli forces had boarded the vessel. “Contrary to false reports, the IDF has not boarded the Rachel Corrie ship attempting to break the maritime closure on Gaza,” an IDF spokesperson said. The Free Gaza Movement later admitted that its report was based on an unconfirmed radio report in Israel.

In the Navy’s radio transmission to the ‘Rachel Corrie’ it offered to deliver supplies in accordance with regulations via the formal land crossings. It said the supplies would be delivered under observation of the ‘Rachel Corrie.’ “After which you can return to your home ports aboard the vessels on which you arrived,” the Navy said in the radio transmission.

Israel has repeatedly said it would not allow the 1,200-ton ‘Rachel Corrie’ to reach Gaza despite international condemnation over its deadly takeover of another aid ship earlier this week. Activists on the Rachel Corrie have said they would surrender peacefully if Israeli forces boarded the boat.