GAZA, June 5 - The Gaza-bound 'Rachel Corrie' aid ship has been boarded by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, and has been directed toward the port of the Israeli city of Ashdod, reported the Haaretz on Saturday, quoting Israel's Channel 2 TV.
According to preliminary reports, the takeover was conducted peaceful and no resistance or injuries were reported, the newspaper said in its online edition.
An IDF spokesman said the Israeli special forces soldiers used boats to board the ship, and were not air-dropped as in the nighttime takeover of the flotilla earlier this week.
The spokesman added that the boarding had taken place after receiving full consent from the Free Gaza activists on board.
Earlier, the IDF said that the 'Rachel Corrie' had ignored an invitation to unload its cargo at an Israeli port and chose to continue its trip toward Gaza.
The IDF said that despite radioing the ship, its organizers "chose to ignore the invitation to dock at the Ashdod port where the cargo could be unloaded and transferred to the Gaza Strip upon inspection."
The spokesman added that the Israeli military is preparing for the possibility of a takeover similar to that attempted earlier this week on the 'Freedom Flotilla', if the 'Rachel Corrie' chooses to proceed toward Gaza. -- NNN-KUNA
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