An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said on Saturday it is preparing for boarding the Gaza-bound aid ship "Freedom Flotilla" after the boat ignored the army's calls to dock.

IDF said in a statement that "Freedom Flotilla" had rejected navy's request to dock at the Israeli port of Ashdod for third time, adding that the boat was 28 miles from Gaza shore at around 10:50 local time.

An IDF spokesman told local daily Ha'aretz that the army is preparing for the possibility of a takeover of the ship, which was similar to its operation earlier this week on a Gaza aid flotilla.

The Rachel Corrie ship approached the international sea near the Gaza Strip early morning in the day, and is reportedly followed by three Israeli warships at the moment.