JERUSALEM, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army said Saturday it intercepted a ship that was trying to break the naval blockade on the Gaza Strip Friday overnight.
The Israeli army "completed a naval operation and intercepted a ship that departed from Europe in order to violate the legal naval blockade that is imposed on the Gaza Strip," said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in a statement.
The ship was monitored and intercepted in accordance with the international law, added the IDF.
The Israeli army clarified to the ship's passengers that "they are violating the legal naval blockade and that any humanitarian merchandise can be transferred to Gaza through the Port of Ashdod."
The ship was transported to the Port of Ashdod and the individuals on board were transferred for further inquiry, said the IDF, adding that the activity ended "without exceptional events."
The IDF said it will "continue to enforce and defend the maritime borders of Israel and its civilians."
The "Freedom Flotilla" group said on its Twitter account that the Swedish-flagged "Freedom" was "under attack" after contact was lost on Friday evening.
The ship is one of the two vessels making up the flotilla, alongside "the Return," which was seized by Israeli army on July 29 and sailed under Norwegian flag in an attempt by international activists to break the blockade imposed since 2007.
Under Israel's restrictive policy, Palestinians are not allowed to leave or enter the Gaza Strip. Israel allows only a small amount of goods to enter the Strip and bans most exports.
