Israel has agreed to release three Turkish ships that were seized as they attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in late May, national media said Friday.
The Israeli military stormed the Freedom Flotilla ships in neutral waters in the Mediterranean Sea as they tried to take 10,000 tons of aid to the 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.
The Israelis intend to hand over the vessels, including the flotilla flagman MV Mavi Marmara, to Turkish authorities, and Israel hopes the step will contribute to the normalization of bilateral relations.
Turkey was informed of the decision on Thursday and will send tugboats to collect the ships.
TEL AVIV, July 23 (RIA Novosti)
