Israel seizes pro-Palestinian activist ship off Gaza

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel's navy on Saturday boarded a boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists and parliamentarians seeking to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza, in a peaceful operation, the military said.

"A short while ago, Israeli navy soldiers boarded Estelle, a vessel which was en route to the Gaza Strip, attempting to break the maritime security blockade," said a military statement.

The statement indicated that the Swedish-owned, Finnish-flagged vessel, with 17 passengers on board, was being led to the southern Israeli port of Ashdod.

"There was no violence," a military spokesman said, adding that the troops had taken control of the MV Estelle. "The passengers did not resist."