Officials have said that an aid ship that had been bound for Gaza bowed to Israeli pressure Saturday and diverted course to head for Egypt.

The BBC has reported that the Moldovan-flagged ship, chartered by a charity run by the son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, left the Greek port of Lavrio on Saturday.

The British broadcaster also said that earlier on Saturday, Israel had written a letter asking the United Nations to block the aid ship that had planned to defy the Israeli naval blockade. Israeli leaders also spoke with officials from Greece and Moldova.

The Amalthea, renamed Hope for the mission, is carrying about 2,000 tons of food, medicines and pre-fabricated houses.

It has also been reported that the ship has been chartered by the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation, led by Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son of the Libyan leader.

According to the BBC, the foundation said that the 302-foot vessel also was carrying "a number of supporters who are keen on expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people."

The reports further noted that Israel had come under intense international criticism after Israeli marines stormed a Turkish-flagged aid ship in May and nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed. Israel has eased its blockade and now allows in almost all consumer items. (With Inputs from Agencies)