A Libyan aid ship bound for Gaza headed to an Egyptian port after being intercepted by the Israeli Navy, security sources in Egypt say.
The engine of al-Amal broke down Wednesday morning some 130 miles from Egypt's al-Arish port, China's official Xinhua news agency reported.
Eight Navy warships enforced Israel's Gaza blockade, preventing the ship from unloading its cargo in Gaza.
Activists on the aid ship earlier denied it was being rerouted to Egypt, the Israeli media network Aruz Sheva reported.
Israel originally gave al-Amal until midnight to shift course before learning it was in need of repairs.
The Navy said it would continue to track the ship.
The vessel, sponsored by a charity organization, is carrying 21 passengers from Libya, Syria, Nigeria, Cuba and Algeria.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says passengers include nine pro-Palestinian activists.