A statement by the Israeli military said that Israeli naval soldiers boarded the Estelle while en route to the Gaza Strip attempting to break the maritime security blockade.
The Israeli military said that the boarding took place in accordance with international law. The Estelle was reportedly first urged to change course and boarded when it failed to do so. The Israeli military said that force was not use during the operation.
The Jerusalem Post quoted military sources as saying that the activists on board will be turned over to police and border officials in Ashdod.
There are two Finnish nationals on board the Swedish-owned, but Finnish-flagged ship. According to the Ship to Gaza organization, there are also 11 Swedes, 5 Greeks, 4 Norwegians, 3 Israelis, 3 Spanish citizens, one Canadian and one Italian aboard.
Two years ago, nine Turkish citizens were killed when Israeli forces boarded a Ship to Gaza vessel attempting to break the blockade.
Seen as a provocation
The Israeli Embassy in Helsinki considers that the voyage of the Estelle was intended as a provocation.
The Embassy's deputy chief, Yuval Donio-Gideon, told Yle's Swedish-language service that the attempt to break the blockade of Gaza was meant to put Israel in a bad light.
He pointed out that the blockade of Gaza is considered as legitimate also at the UN level.
"Aid agencies are welcome into Gaza, but their activities must be arranged in an official manner, for example through the UN or the EU," said Donio-Gideon.
