Israel Sets up Inquiry into Deadly Gaza Flotilla Raid

Israel has announced an internal inquiry into its deadly raid last month on a convoy of Gaza-bound aid ships. It had earlier rejected a UN proposal for an international probe, but has now agreed to include two foreign observers in its own inquiry.

The "independent public commission" proposal would be voted on by the cabinet, said a government statement. It would "investigate aspects related to the actions taken by the state of Israel to prevent vessels reaching the coast of Gaza."

The three-men panel would be led by former Israeli Supreme Court judge Yaakov Tirkel, it added. They will be joined by Irish Nobel Peace Prize winner David Trimble and retired Canadian military prosecutor Ken Watkin, according to BBC.

Nine Turkish activists were killed when Israeli commandos stormed the ships in international waters on 31 May.

Reacting to the Israeli announcement, Washington described it as "an important step forward."

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "We expect Israel's commission and military investigation will be carried out promptly.

"We also expect that, upon completion, its findings will be presented publicly and will be presented to the international community."

The six ships, carrying campaigners and 10,000 tonnes of aid, had sailed from Cyprus in a bid to break Israel's three-year blockade of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.

The Israeli cabinet is expected to vote on the proposal on Monday.

Israel says its troops acted in self-defence when activists attacked commandoes trying to board one of the flotilla's six aid ships. The campaigners say the soldiers opened fire without any provocation.