ANKARA

The Israeli Navy is preparing to intercept the humanitarian vessel Madleen as it approaches Gaza’s waters, with plans to forcibly redirect it to Ashdod port, Israel’s Channel 12 reported Sunday.

Operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the British-flagged Madleen set sail from Sicily, Italy on June 6. It is carrying urgently needed supplies for the people of Gaza, including baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, women’s sanitary products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, crutches, and children’s prosthetics, according to its organizers.

The ship has 12 activists on board, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham.

The Israeli military aims to halt the ship before it enters Gaza’s territorial waters, citing its enforcement of the naval blockade. The activists on board will be handed over to Israeli authorities for deportation.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the military to prevent the vessel from reaching Gaza.

"I instructed the IDF to act so that the Madleen ... does not reach Gaza," Katz said in a statement. "I am clearly telling the anti-Semitic Greta and Hamas propaganda spokespeople: Turn back, because you will not reach Gaza."

The operation follows Israel’s earlier vow to prevent the ship from reaching Gaza, fearing it would set a precedent for future blockade-breaking attempts.

An unnamed Israeli security official said the military will seize the vessel “in a pleasant manner,” and then detain and deport those onboard, according to public broadcaster KAN.

KAN said Israel’s commando naval unit, Shayetet 13, conducted drills “for a non-violent takeover of the ship” in preparation and to prevent its arrival in Gaza.

The military expects the operation to be broadcast live, prompting efforts to avoid any appearance of using force.

As the ship approaches Gaza, the International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza said Sunday that Israel is attempting to block the ship's location and signal. "It seems Israel is jamming our colleagues' location and signal on the Madleen (vessel)."

"This is serious ... We'll keep you posted," the statement added.

The committee also published an electronic link to live-track the vessel, encouraging people to share it "all over the internet."

"Israel is preparing to commit a war crime in the middle of international waters," it added.

Last week, KAN reported that Tel Aviv reversed its initial decision to allow the ship to pass. The approval was withdrawn under the pretext of "setting a precedent" for future humanitarian aid missions.

Another vessel operated by the FFC, the Conscience, was targeted by drones off the coast of Malta on May 2.

Israel, rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, has pursued a devastating offensive in Gaza since October 2023, killing nearly 54,900 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Aid agencies have warned about the risk of famine among the enclave's more than 2 million inhabitants.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war crimes against civilians in the enclave.