Turkish warships approached Israeli naval vessels in the Mediterranean Sea and forced them to alter their routes, according to a report by the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan).

Kan, citing unnamed sources, reported that Turkish naval vessels approached Israeli ships operating in the Mediterranean and influenced the routes they were able to take. The report did not specify when or precisely where the encounters occurred.

The reported encounters come amid heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel and an increased Turkish naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Israeli media have recently reported several encounters involving Turkish and Israeli naval vessels in international waters. None of the reported incidents has resulted in a direct military confrontation.

The reports have interpreted the Turkish naval activity as signalling Ankara’s determination to assert its presence and strategic interests in the region.