Israel permits return of Gaza aid flotilla ships

Israel granted permission for the return of Gaza bound aid ship,Mavi Marmara.

Israel granted permission for the return of Gaza bound aid ship,Mavi Marmara,which witnessed an Israeli commando raid on May 31 in which nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed.

The ship is heading back to Turkey along-with two other ships of an aid flotilla. Turkish tugboats arrived at the Haifa port today in order to transport the Mavi Marmara after Israeli authorities granted permission for its return.

The Marmara was seized by Israel with two more Turkish vessels and held at the Ashdod port was moved to a civilian dock a few days back where it underwent renovation work and preparations ahead of its return to Turkey.

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The Israeli Defence Ministry in a statement said that that following the political leadership’s decision and in line with a request made by Turkish authorities,the vessels will be handed over to Turkish representatives.

Meanwhile,the Israeli Foreign Ministry sent a letter to Turkish officials,expressing Jerusalem’s expectation that Ankara prevent any more ships from breaching the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.

The letter stressed that Israel regularly transfers goods into Gaza via land crossings in a manner acceptable to the international community and in line with recognised agreements.

Israel’s hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surprised many here by announcing early this week that the Jewish state will be cooperating with a probe into the flotilla incident ordered by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.