The interception of the flotilla currently making its way toward Israel could take several days, according to IDF assessments.
The interception will begin with warnings to the ships' participants to halt. If they refuse, navy forces will stop the vessels and transfer those on board to Israel. One of the navy's landing craft has been refitted to handle passengers who decline to turn back and will bring them for processing in Israel.
To carry out the mission, the navy has declared a leave freeze and called up a broad reserve force, ensuring that large numbers of sailors and officers take part in the operation. According to available information, in addition to European activists aiming to provoke Israel, the ships also carry Muslim participants from Algeria, Libya and other countries.
Officials in Israel stress that there is no intention to harm those on board, but soldiers will defend themselves if necessary. At the same time, diplomatic efforts led by Israel's Foreign Ministry are continuing up until the last moment to stop the flotilla before it reaches Israeli waters.
Earlier, Spain and Italy advised their citizens not to take part in the flotilla, warning that entering the restricted zone could endanger both the crews' safety and the flotilla as a whole. Other countries have also urged their nationals to return home rather than continue with the voyage.
