12:09PM IL: According to an al-Jazeera report, IDF soldiers have boarded a Lebanese ship reportedly carrying humanitarian assistance for Gaza. Defense officials report the vessel was in Gaza territorial waters.

Over recent months, Israel has prevented numerous ships from reaching Hamas-controlled Gaza as efforts continue to prevent weapons smuggling into the Hamas area.
Last week, Cypriot officials stopped a ship that originated in Iran, which has since been learned to be carrying weapons and ammunition.

12:43PM IL: The Lebanese vessel that was halted on its way to Gaza by the Israel Navy was towed to the Port of Ashdod. According to one Arab media report, 18 naval gunships surrounded the ship and ordered it to turn around. Al-Jazeera reports the ship was fired upon as well.

Eight people including journalists are on board, reportedly carrying 60 tons of relief supplies from Lebanon and Cyprus.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)