The Irish Saoirse (Gaelic for "Freedom") and the Canadian Tahrir (Arabic for "Liberation") left a port in southern Turkey on Wednesday and were expected to reach Gaza by Friday morning, organisers said.
"The two boats are close to Israeli-controlled waters and those on board have been instructed not to put up any resistance to the Israeli navy when it tries to intercept them," said Denis Kosseim, a spokesman for the Canadian Boat to Gaza campaign.
"Everyone has signed a document in which they pledged not to put up any resistance should they be boarded by Israel," he said.
The two boats are between them carrying 27 passengers and some $30,000 worth of medical aid, as well as journalists and crew members, organisers said.
Palestinian fisherman and supporters had been expecting to welcome the ships into Gaza port at around 9:30 am (0730 GMT).
But by Friday morning, the vessels were still some way off, with a tweet from the Canada Boat to Gaza campaign indicating they were "less than 100 nautical miles from Gaza" shortly before 9:00 am (0700 GMT).
"We continue on course towards Gaza. We`ve raised the Palestinian flag this morning and will keep it flying," another tweet said.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said: "The two boats are approaching and their progress is being monitored by the navy which will establish contact in due course.
"Israel has completed the necessary preparations to prevent them from reaching the Gaza Strip," she told AFP.
On Thursday evening, Israeli warships came within six miles of the two vessels, and Israeli spotter planes were observed overhead, said Fintan Lane, a coordinator of the Irish Ship to Gaza campaign.
But fears of an overnight boarding did not materialise.
Pro-Palestinian group International Solidarity Movement (ISM) said that local fishermen and supporters had been expecting to welcome the ships into Gaza port at around 9:30 am (0730 GMT).
In May 2010, Israeli naval commandos raided a flotilla of ships trying to sail to Gaza, killing nine Turkish activists and sparking a diplomatic crisis.
A second flotilla tried to reach the Palestinian territory in July but several ships were damaged, with the crew claming sabotage, and the rest were intercepted before they arrived.
The Saoirse is carrying 15 passengers but no aid, while the Tahrir is carrying only a couple of passengers and $30,000 worth of medical aid.
Israel has vigorously defended its right to maintain a blockade on Gaza, saying it is necessary to prevent weapons from entering the coastal territory,which is run by the Islamist Hamas movement.
(U.H-RN)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
