Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora on Thursday urged American concerned parties to put pressure on Israel, to release the crew of the Lebanese aid ship which was sailing to Gaza, NNA reported.

The Israeli navy intercepted a Lebanese aid ship in Palestinian territorial waters, beating its crew and forcing it sail to Israeli port of Ashdod.

The prime minister contacted by phone "American concerned parties, and informed them Lebanon's rejection and denouncement to Israel's abduction of the ship and its crew," the report said.

He called on the international community to pressure Israel to allow the vessel which is carrying medical supplies, food, clothing and toys, to reach Gaza.

Israeli gunboats intercepted the ship Wednesday night while it was in international waters trying to reach Gaza through Egyptian territorial waters.

The ship left Lebanese northern port of Tripoli Monday night, passed through Cyprus where authorities inspected the cargo before it headed to Gaza.