Jerusalem-PalPress-According to activists sailing to Gaza with humanitarian aids, said  they had been intercepted by an Israeli gunboat Tuesday at dawn.

The activists -- in a small ferry boat sailing from Cyprus to Gaza  said they had received threats they would be fired upon unless they turned back.

Yigal Palmor, Israel's foreign ministry spokesman told Reuters no such threats had been made. He said the boat's declared destination was Port Said in Egypt and that the boat appeared to be heading in that direction.

"If it changes course and tries to go to Gaza or declares that it intends to do so, the navy can take action, although they would definitely not fire at the boat," Palmor said.