Egypt allows Libyan aid boat that had been surrounded by Israeli warships to dock at Al-Arish

Maan
Jerusalem - Ma'an - A Libyan aid ship originally headed to the blockaded Gaza Strip has requested and received permission to dock in Egypt instead, an Egyptian official said on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

"Egypt has given permission to the Libyan ship to dock in Al-Arish port instead of the port of Gaza," the official said, adding Egypt would allow the ship's medical cargo and passengers to pass into Gaza through the Rafah border, the news wire wrote....

Israeli warships are still surrounding the boat, which organizers reported at midday.

Earlier, Israel's Army Radio reported that the Israeli navy warned the Hope that it would be boarded if it does not change course by midnight.

According to the radio's news site, the navy made contact at 2pm with the aid vessel, called the Hope, 70 kilometers off Gaza's coast, telling its crew and passengers that Israeli forces would take control of the ship and divert it to Ashdod if it does not change course.

Those on board responded by saying they were determined to continue to Gaza, the news site reported.
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The Israeli army denied the report with a spokesman telling Ma'an that first contact was made with the boat over 100 miles from the shore. "It wasn't a warning," the representative added, saying forces made contact to ask who was on board, and "clarified it was not allowed to dock in Gaza. It was not an ultimatum."

He added that the boat "will not enter Gaza."

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