UN urges inquiry into Israel convoy raid

The UN Security Council issued a statement calling for an independent investigation into Israel's raid on a Gaza-bound fleet of auxiliary vessels.

The statement said the investigation should be "prompt, impartial, credible and transparent".

Also condemned the "acts" which killed at least 10 civilian activists led during the operation.
The UN declaration was reached after hours of discussion as the board deliberated through the night.

In Turkey, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Israel raid a "massacre" as he addressed parliament.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has ordered the border crossing between Egypt and Gaza be opened.

The Egyptian news agency said that it was through humanitarian aid. It is not clear how long the crossing at Rafah will be kept open.

The UN Declaration was the result of a compromise between Turkey and the United States, Turkey reluctant to water down his sharp criticism of Israel while the United States, an ally of Israel, wanted the language used humor, says the BBC UN correspondent Barbara Plett in New York.

Turkey was furious at the command raid, which targeted a Turkish ship and appeared to have slain Turkish activists especially, our correspondent says.

The compromise drew immediate condemnation from Israel, and links to an international inquiry, our correspondent adds.

Also weakened demand for an end to the economic blockade of Gaza that the activists tried to break, but the incident has focused international attention on the siege, and many states have recall to be removed, she says.

The Palestinian UN observer, Riyad Mansour, said he was disappointed that the language in the final draft of the declaration had softened.

On the request to end the blockade of Gaza, Mr. Mansour said that "perhaps the clearest statement of the Security Council requesting and demanding lifting of the siege of the Gaza Strip".

In its statement, the UN Security Council said it "deeply the loss of lives and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters from the convoy to sail to Gaza" regretted.

The Council "condemns acts that resulted in the loss of at least 10 civilians and wounded many, and expresses its condolences to their families.

The Council requested the immediate release of the vessels and citizens held by Israel.

It also stressed that the situation in Gaza is "not sustainable".

Shortly after the UN declaration was released, several Gaza border into Israel and militants exchanged fire with troops, the Israeli army said. Two militants were slain, it said.

Russia and the European Union, have jointly called for an independent investigation into the Israeli operation in Gaza and open crossings.
'Self defense'

Earlier, Foreign Minister of Turkey called the Israeli actions "murder by a state."

Israeli UN envoy said troops acted in self-defense when activists attacked them, charges the activists denied.

"This flotilla was anything but a humanitarian mission," Deputy UN Ambassador Daniel Carmon said Israel.
He said the activists had used "knives, clubs and other weapons" to the soldiers on board the boat lead attack, the Mavi Marmara.

Aria Shaliker captain of the Israel Defense Forces, which are part of the operation was on Monday, said the commandos launched raids armed with paint ball guns.

"I was myself, one of the boats, the Israeli boats approaching the fleet," he told the BBC's World Today program.

"It is true that the Israeli unit commander ... came on board with paint ball weapon ... with a view to [people] to spread if there was violence. They were ready for a violent demonstration at ... aboard the fleet, especially in the big boat, the Marmara. Nobody really expected that such a violent outcome of what happened.

"First, you know, the soldiers tried to distribute, but at the end when they were shot, you know when there was shooting from the other side ... there is no other way than running paint ball in order to live ammunition. "

The campaigners say that the soldiers opened fire without provocation.

Of the 679 surviving activists, who were brought to the Israeli port of Ashdod, only 50 agreed to voluntary deportation and more than 30 are treated in hospital for their injuries, reports the BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem.

That means nearly 600 people from different countries, are still held in detention facilities throughout Israel and questioned by authorities.

Israel has imposed an information blackout, making it difficult to get first-hand accounts to collect the protesters.

The ships carried 10,000 tons of aid in an attempt to blockade by Israel three years from the Gaza Strip to break.

Israel says the ships' cargo to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip through the country.

Later Tuesday, the NATO ambassadors hold emergency talks on the request by Turkey to discuss the raid.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he regretted the loss of life, but gave full support to the action of the Israeli troops.

Mr. Netanyahu cut short a visit to Canada to deal with the growing crisis and canceled a scheduled meeting in Washington with U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday. He is due back in Israel on Tuesday.

Israel tightened its blockade of Gaza after Hamas seized power there in 2007.

Israel says it allows about 15,000 tons of humanitarian aid into Gaza every week, but the UN says that less than one quarter of what is needed.

The incident led to strong international condemnation and calls for Israel to its three-year blockade of Gaza to be lifted.