The Israeli Navy is ready to intercept a delegation of activists traveling in dozens of boats to Gaza to challenge the Israeli blockade of the Strip, IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said at a press conference on Thursday.

“We are monitoring this fleet. We have experience from the past, but this mission is different, with dozens of boats,” Defrin said in response to a question, adding that the Israeli Navy is “ready to defend Israel’s borders at sea. We are prepared, and the Navy is prepared.”

“This flotilla, as we know, has been organized and funded by Hamas, by Hamas representatives in Europe. We have clear evidence of this,” Defrin further claimed.

Still, he said that those who want to help Palestinians in Gaza can do so through the organized aid routes used by various countries and international organizations.