The captain of a catamaran carrying Jewish activists toward the blockaded Gaza Strip says an Israeli warship is approaching the vessel.
Capt. Glynn Secker says his boat is about 40km from Gaza. Secker says he expects the navy to intercept the Irene, which is carrying nine Jewish activists from Israel and other countries.
The Israeli military said Tuesday it would not intervene until the boat tries to breach the blockade.
In May, Israeli commandos raided a Turkish-led flotilla bound for Gaza, killing nine pro-Palestinian activists. Both sides claimed they acted in self-defense.
That clash prompted international criticism and turned the spotlight on Israel's three-year blockade of Gaza. Israel later eased the restrictions but kept its naval blockade. - Sapa-AP