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Israel admits flotilla 'mistakes' Israel admits flotilla 'mistakes'
(40 minutes later)
The aid flotilla was trying to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza StripThe aid flotilla was trying to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip
An Israeli military probe into the naval raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla says commandos were under-prepared and mistakes were made at a senior level.An Israeli military probe into the naval raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla says commandos were under-prepared and mistakes were made at a senior level.
The report says the use of force was the only way to stop the flotilla, but the operation suffered from flawed intelligence and inadequate planning.The report says the use of force was the only way to stop the flotilla, but the operation suffered from flawed intelligence and inadequate planning.
Commanders also relied too heavily on a single plan, Israel says.Commanders also relied too heavily on a single plan, Israel says.
Eight Turks and one Turkish-American died in the naval raid in international waters, which provoked a major outcry.Eight Turks and one Turkish-American died in the naval raid in international waters, which provoked a major outcry.
The report criticised a lack of co-ordination between military and intelligence bodies and it said preparations for the 31 May takeover of the ships were inadequate.The report criticised a lack of co-ordination between military and intelligence bodies and it said preparations for the 31 May takeover of the ships were inadequate.
'Professional and courageous'
As they dropped from helicopters on to the deck of one vessel, the Mavi Marmara, Israeli forces were met with a violent reception, from some of those on board who were armed with clubs and knives and at least one gun, found the report.As they dropped from helicopters on to the deck of one vessel, the Mavi Marmara, Israeli forces were met with a violent reception, from some of those on board who were armed with clubs and knives and at least one gun, found the report.
As he presented the findings to media in Tel Aviv, retired general Giora Eiland, who chaired the panel tasked with scrutinising the operation, said the use of force had been necessary. This Israeli military investigation confirms things went badly wrong when troops stormed the Mavi Marmara, but largely exonerates the naval commandos.
But he added: "Mistakes were made in the various decisions taken, including within relatively senior ranks, which contributed to the result not being as we would have wished," reports news agency AFP. However, its findings that serious mistakes were made confirm that questions also need to be asked of Israel's political leaders, who approved the operation.
"In this inquiry we found that there were some professional mistakes regarding both the intelligence and the decision-making process." The Eiland report is not the only investigation. A former Supreme Court Judge, Jacob Turkel, is conducting an inquiry into the legality of the operation.
This is the first of two inquiries and looks at the military aspects of the operation. The wider ramifications - political and legal - will be examined in another inquiry. The UN Human Rights Council may well launch its own study, though Israel does not trust this organisation and may well refuse to have anything to do with it. Pressure is on Israel to make its investigation credible.
Justice Turkel is seeking to give his inquiry real investigative teeth. Here he may well be backed by the Israeli courts. This though may still not satisfy the Turks who have nailed their colours to a fully-fledged international inquiry.
Presenting the findings to media in Tel Aviv, retired general Giora Eiland, who chaired the investigating panel, said there was both criticism and praise.
"In this inquiry we found that there were some professional mistakes regarding both the intelligence and the decision-making process and some of the operational mistakes," he said.
"But also, we did find some very positive findings, and one of them that should be emphasised is the very professional and courageous way that the Israeli commando behaved."
General Eiland said the report was intended to help prepare Israel for similar situations which may occur in the future.
The Eiland Committee, which began its work on 7 June, scrutinised the military aspects of the raid.
It is the first of two inquiries; the wider ramifications of the operation - political and legal - will be examined in another inquiry.
Israel has resisted calls for a UN-led inquiry into the raid, saying it would be biased.Israel has resisted calls for a UN-led inquiry into the raid, saying it would be biased.
The operation prompted an international backlash and has severely strained Israel's relations with its once-close Muslim ally Turkey.The operation prompted an international backlash and has severely strained Israel's relations with its once-close Muslim ally Turkey.
Amid the criticism, Israel eased its land blockade on the Gaza Strip, allowing most civilian goods through.Amid the criticism, Israel eased its land blockade on the Gaza Strip, allowing most civilian goods through.
The naval blockade remains in place. Israel says it is necessary to keep weapons from reaching the Islamist Hamas movement, which controls Gaza.The naval blockade remains in place. Israel says it is necessary to keep weapons from reaching the Islamist Hamas movement, which controls Gaza.