Turkey releases final report on Israeli raid on Gaza-bound aid ship

Turkey has released its final report on Israel's deadly attack on a Gaza-bound international aid flotilla in May last year, reiterating its demand for apology and compensation from Israel. "Israel must acknowledge its responsibility and accordingly convey a public apology to the Republic of Turkey and provide compensation for all damages and losses resulting from its unlawful attack," according to the report, partially released to the semi-official Anatolia news agency. Prepared by Turkish National Commission of Inquiry, the report has been submitted to an inquiry panel over the attack set up by the UN secretary-general in August 2010, the agency said. Israeli commando forces launched a raid on Mavi Marmara, the flagship of the flotilla carrying aid materials to the blockaded Gaza Strip, on May 31, 2010 and killed nine pro-Palestinian activists, mostly Turks. The attack raised strong international condemnation but a report of an Israeli inquiry committee defended the naval assault on the Gaza Strip and the decision to prevent the flotilla from reaching Gaza. Turkey released its interim report on the attack last month, right after the Israeli report was submitted to the UN, highlighting the unlawfulness of the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, and the right of humanitarian groups to extend aid to the Palestinians. The report's key finding was its allegations that two civilians were killed by Israeli commando forces before boarding the vessel from helicopters. The version released Friday largely repeated what was stated in the previous one. Israel eased Gaza siege to calm down global criticism after the raid, but still keeps enforcing the maritime blockade. Israel imposed blockade on Gaza after Hamas captured an Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and held him hostage in the coastal enclave in 2006, then tightened the blockade a year later after Hamas took over Gaza.

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