Israeli troops intercepted an international aid ship headed for the Gaza Strip early today just five days after a deadly raid on similar vessels, the Gaza-based committee awaiting the vessel told AFP.

The report was completely denied by the Israeli military, however.

"The Rachel Corrie has been intercepted 35 miles off Gaza," spokesman Amjad al-Shawa told AFP after speaking by phone with activists on the ship.

"Several Israeli boats surrounded them between 30 and 35 miles off Gaza and prevented them from reaching Gaza," he said.

"They try to take the boat, maybe to (the southern Israeli port city of) Ashdod or maybe to another place."

Shawa said communication with the boat had been "completely cut" but the committee would keep trying to reach them.

The Israeli military completely denied the report, with a spokeswoman telling AFP: "No, it has not been intercepted."

Military sources also said there had been "no source contact" with the vessel which has 15 people on board, including Irish and Malaysian activists, four Indonesian crew and a Scottish captain.

Israeli public radio also said the Rachel Corrie had been intercepted and was being escorted by least three navy vessels through a stretch of water some 35 miles from the Egyptian coast.

Martin Quigley, a Dublin-based spokesman for the vessel, which is carrying 15 people and tonnes of aid for Gaza, could not confirm the information and said he had not been in contact with the boat.

"They had agreed to call us the minute they spotted any Israeli ships," Quigley said, saying he had not been able to reach the passengers on the satellite phone. "It sounds like the phone is off the hook."

The Rachel Corrie received bunkers off Malta at the end of last month and had a change of crew. Contrary to media reports, it did not report mechanical problems or file any reports of suspected sabotage during this period.