The IDF on Tuesday afternoon confirmed that it had made radio contact with a Libyan aid ship trying to breach Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The confirmation came after the ship's organizers said that an Israeli military vessel had confronted the ship and ordered it to change course for 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.
Activists aboard the Libyan aid ship headed for Gaza plan to arrive at their destination Wednesday, AFP news agency reported Monday.
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UPDATE: The captain of the Libyan ship bound for Gaza has finally agreed to divert the ship to the port at El-Arish in Egypt.
Navy forces had contacted the ship a number of times throughout the day to explain that it would not be allowed to dock in Gaza because of the naval blockade.
IDF officials remained wary, but they said that the fact the captain had requested permission to dock at El-Arish was a good sign. The ship has received permission to dock in Egypt instead of Gaza, according to an Egyptian official.
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