Jerusalem: Israel has decided to return to
Turkey three boats which it seized during a deadly commando
operation against a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in May, public
radio reported on Friday.
The decision, which was taken by the seven ministers of
Israel`s inner cabinet, has already been conveyed to the
Turkish government and is expected to be implemented in the
coming days, the radio said.
There was no immediate defence ministry confirmation of
the report.
The May 31 raid against the aid flotilla, in which nine
Turkish activists died, sparked a sharp downturn in Israel`s
traditionally warm relations with Ankara.
The ferry Mavi Marmara, on which the nine activists were
killed as they sought to break Israel`s four-year-old blockade
of Gaza, is currently docked in an Israeli naval base in the
northern port city of Haifa.
The other two vessels are docked in the southern port of
Ashdod.
PTI
