Tel aviv: Israeli officials have issued a warning to seize an aid ship en route to the Gaza Strip if it does not comply with directives to change its course. The vessel, named Handala, is carrying foreign activists and aims to breach the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

According to Anadolu Agency, an unnamed Israeli official was quoted in the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper stating that if the Handala persists in its current path, the Israeli navy's Shayetet 13 commando unit will take action to intercept and redirect the ship to Ashdod Port. The Handala, which embarked from Italy, is nearing Gaza's coast, marking an attempt to challenge the longstanding blockade on the region.

The incident follows a similar event last month when Israeli forces intercepted the Madleen aid ship in international waters near Gaza. The interception led to the detention and deportation of its 12 international activists, including prominent figures like Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and French Member of European Parliament Rima Hassan.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, responsible for organizing the Handala's mission, recently reported a temporary communication blackout with the vessel, during which drones were observed in the vicinity. Although communication was later re-established, the drone activity raised concerns about a potential intervention.

The Handala set sail from the Italian port of Syracuse on July 13, proceeded to Gallipoli for final preparations, and resumed its journey on July 20. The ship is transporting essential supplies such as baby formula, food, and medicine, with 21 unarmed civilians on board, all operating under international maritime and humanitarian law.