(IsraelNN.com) Police Sunday morning nipped in the bud an attempt by Arab activists, including Arab Knesset Members, to sail to Gaza from Yafo (Jaffa), adjacent to Tel Aviv, in an attempt to challenge Israeli authority over coastal waters in the region. The action forestalls a confrontation with the Navy as the government takes action to stop ships from docking at Gaza.

Activists have said the boats are laden with food and medicine, but the government fears that the boats will be used to smuggle explosives and weapons into Gaza. Israel's agreement with the Palestinian Authority three years ago, when the IDF withdrew from all parts of the Gaza region, stated that Israel retains sovereignty over the air space and coastal waters until the Palestinian Authority can control terror. The Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza took control away from the Fatah-led PA more than a year ago.