Israel released late on Thursday three Turkish ships that were seized as they attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in late May.
"Israel hopes that Turkey would not allow the violation of a sea blockade of the Gaza Strip by Turkish ships in the future," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement related to the release of the ships.
The Israeli military stormed the six-ship Freedom Flotilla ships in neutral waters in the Mediterranean Sea as they tried to take 10,000 tons of aid to the Palestinian enclave, which has been under an Israeli blockade for the past three years.
The raid claimed the lives of at least 9 activists, eight of them Turkish nationals. Three Turkish ships were seized and taken to Israeli ports. Israel blamed the Freedom Flotilla participants and organizers for the violence, accusing them of links to international terrorism.
However, Israel was widely criticized by the international community, most notably Turkey, for unjustified and excessive use of violence against civilians, who carried out a humanitarian mission.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has established a four-person commission, led by ex-New Zealand premier Geoffrey Palmer, to conduct an independent investigation of Israel's attack on the Freedom Flotilla.
The commission will also comprise an Israeli representative, a Turkish representative and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe. It is to present its first report by mid-September.
TEL AVIV, August 6 (RIA Novosti)
