Navy prepares for possible takeover of 'Estelle'
IDF ready to seize Gaza-bound Swedish vessel which is set to reach Israel's shores this weekend
The Navy and the IDF's Operations Division have completed preparations for the arrival of the Swedish ship "Estelle" to Gaza this weekend.
It is estimated the vessel will approach Israel's shores by Friday despite the pro-Palestinian activists' announcement that it is due on Saturday.
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The ship is carrying Israeli and European activists seeking to transfer humanitarian supplies to Gaza and challenging Israel's naval blockade of the Strip.
In the past week, the IDF has held several meetings in preparation for the ship's arrival and has trained for a possible Rendezvous mid-sea.
The army is preparing for the possibility that commandos will clash with the activists. They will call on the activists to stop the ship and if ignored will seize the vessel.
The ship will then be taken to the Ashdod Port where its passengers will be questioned. Disruptions on their part could lead to deportation.
The IDF stressed that the preparations were made only after diplomatic efforts to stop the flotilla failed.
According to army sources, the activists' goal is to create a media provocation on an international scale which has led the IDF to hold special preparations including arranging an on-call video crew which would document the takeover.
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