UN chief proposes joint Gaza aid flotilla probe

TEL AVIV - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has proposed to Israel to set up an international commission of inquiry into the attack on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla, a media report said Sunday.

The committee would be headed by former New Zealand prime minister Geoffrey Palmer, an expert on maritime law. Its members would include representatives from the United States, Turkey and Israel, Haaretz reported.

Senior government officials said the Foreign Ministry recommends responding favourably to establishing the committee because Turkey will probably oppose it, the report said.

A senior official said the investigation would help expose links between Turkish authorities and the flotilla organisers whom Israel accuses of supporting terror groups, the paper said.

Netanyahu and Defence Minister Ehud Barak are said to be leaning toward an examination of the events surrounding the takeover of the Mavi Marmara with American or other international participation.

Israeli Navy commandos attacked the Gaza-bound aid flotilla Monday killing nine activists.