The Israeli Navy on Saturday morning seized a ship carrying pro-Palestinian activists who sought to breach the maritime security blockade Israel imposes on the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman's office said in a statement.

Soldiers boarded the Swedish-flagged "Estelle" in accordance with the government's decision and international law, and after efforts to prevent the vessel from reaching Gaza via diplomatic channels had failed, the statement said.

A military spokesman said the decision to board the vessel was made after its passengers ignored repeated calls to change course to the southern Israeli port of Ashdod.

"The soldiers operated as planned, and took every necessary precaution necessary to ensure the safety of the passengers. The soldiers did not use force while seizing the ship," according to the statement.

Among the passengers onboard the Estelle are five European parliamentarians from Spain, Sweden, Norway and Greech, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Other passengers include pro-Palestinian activists from the United States and Europe, as well as one Israeli radical left-wing activist who had been living in Sweden for years.

The ship set sail in June and has since docked at several European ports to gather publicity and support. Earlier this week, it took on more food and passengers off the coast of Crete, and was expected to reach the Gaza shore early next week, The Jerusalem Post said.

The military said that upon their arrival at Ashdod, the passengers will be handed over to police and immigration authorities.

The statement added that any organization or country wishing to transfer humanitarian supplies to Gaza can do so via land crossings and in coordination with Israeli authorities.

In May 2010, nine Turkish nationals aboard one of a six-vessel flotilla that attempted to breach the blockade on Gaza were killed when Israeli naval commandos boarded and stormed the Turkish- flagged Mavi Marmara, an incident that led to the severing of Israeli-Turkish diplomatic ties.