UN to assemble Gaza flotilla investigation team Sunday

DUBAI - The United Nations is to assemble Sunday an international commission that will investigate the killing of nine activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid ship by Israeli commandos in May, the broadcaster al-Arabiya reported Saturday.

Israel would cooperate with the commission, according to the report, which quoted diplomats at UN headquarters in New York.

The commission is reportedly to deliberate for the first time August 10 in New York.

Israeli press, quoting unnamed sources, had reported earlier this month that former International Criminal Court president Philippe Kirsch would head the investigation team. UN officials in Geneva had denied the reports at the time.

The commission’s appointment will meet demands made by several countries, including Turkey.

The ship had been part of a flotilla that unsuccessfully attempted to breach Israel’s naval blockade on the Gaza Strip in a bid to deliver aid to the enclave.

Eight pro-Palestinian Turkish activists and a US citizen of Turkish origin were killed when Israeli naval commandos raided the Mavi Marmara. The incident generated widespread international criticism.