The French yacht Dignite-Al Karame. Photo: IDF.

Following unsuccessful attempts to persuade the ship’s crew and passengers to divert course, IDF Navy soldiers boarded the French Al-Karame vessel in an effort to stop it from breaking the maritime security blockade on the Gaza Strip.

The IDF says that “in accordance with government directives, after all diplomatic channels had been exhausted and continuous calls to the vessel had been ignored,”  adding that “the soldiers operated in line with procedures and took every precaution necessary while using all operational tactics determined prior to the operation, and avoid causing harm to the activists on-board while ensuring the safety of the soldiers. Following the boarding, the passengers’ health was examined and they were offered food and beverages.”

The Al-Karame will be redirected to the Ashdod port where the relevant security authorities and the Israel Police will begin the process of questioning the passengers, who will then be transferred to the Ministry of Interior and the Immigration authorities.