An emergency meeting has been called at the UN Security Council to discuss the raid of aid flotilla by Israeli navy soldiers. It has been reported that Israeli soldiers had raided one of the several boats that were headed towards the Gaza Strip in the international waters in the Mediterranean Sea
At least 15 passengers were reportedly killed and dozen others injured when Israeli commandos stormed ships that were carrying aid to the Gaza strip early on Monday. A Turkish ship which was leading the flotilla was in international waters when the strike happened.
Israeli soldiers have claimed that seven soldiers were also wounded because of the violence. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu regretted the loss of life but said that the troops had actioned only in self defence. Israel says seven soldiers also were wounded in the violence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret at the loss of life, but said Israeli troops acted in self-defence. Mark Regev, the government spokesperson said that the activists had weapons and were planning to attack the commandos when they came aboard the ship.
On the other hand the Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that this action was an act of “state terrorism”. The country has already recalled its ambassador from Israel and has also cancelled three planned military exercises with Israel as a mark of protest.
The aid ships had more than 600 pro Palestinian activists. Other than the activist there were 10,000 tonnes of supplies which had left for Gaza Strip on Sunday in spite of a warning from Israeli navy not to approach the region.
As per the organizers from the Free Gaza Movement and a Turkish human rights group said that the convoy was also carrying medical supplies as well as cement and other building materials.
Israel has taken the ships to a nearby port to begin deportation process for the activists and says that post inspection the aid will be transferred to Gaza by land.
