A pre-dawn Israeli attack on a flotilla of ships on a humanitarian mission to Gaza Strip that killed at least 17 people has evoked world-wide condemnation and tension in relations with Israel.
The tough Israeli response drew condemnations from the United Nations, the United States, European Union, South Africa, Ireland, Palestinian Authority, Italy, Turkey, France and the U.N.'s Mideast envoy, while Greece suspended a military exercise with Israel and postponed a visit by Israel's Air Force chief.
While U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sought urgent explanation and a full inquiry into the Israeli assault, Syria and Lebanon warned Israel's attack threatens to ignite a war in the region.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry demanded an explanation from Tel-Aviv, saying that "the incident may lead to irreparable consequences in bilateral relations." About 10,000 Turks also marched to the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul shouting slogans denouncing Israel.
In response, Israel advised its citizens on Monday to avoid travel to Turkey and instructed those already there to keep a low profile and avoid crowded downtown areas. Israeli Ambassadors in Sweden, Spain, Denmark and Greece were summoned for meetings.
France, UAE, and Italy supported the U.N. demand for an investigation into the incident.
There were conflicting accounts of the incident that stirred a comparative lull in the region.
While journalists on board the ships said Israeli forces fired at the leading vessel before boarding it, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) said its troops only opened fire after being attacked by activists with sticks, knives and live fire from weapons seized from the Israeli commandos.
At least 17 foreign pro-Palestinian activists were killed when Israeli commandos stormed the flotilla of ships carrying 10,000 tons of aid materials for Palestinians in misery in the Gaza Strip.
The commandos who boarded the vessels in the Mediterranean Sea clashed with hundreds of unarmed political activists on board.Israel had warned the ships not to enter its territorial waters, and vowed to stop the flotilla, calling it a "provocation intended to de-legitimize Israel."
The activists, coming from several countries, were headed to Gaza on a mission meant to draw attention to a three-year-old Israeli blockade of the coastal territory.
Protesting the attack, Greece said an ongoing joint Air Force exercise with Israel had been canceled. Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas made the announcement following emergency talks with Israeli Ambassador to Athens.
Reports said there were more than 40 Greek activists, doctors and journalists sailing on the two Greek ships forming part of the flotilla.
The joint Greece-Israel Air Force training exercises that began in the southern Mediterranean island of Crete on May 9 were expected to run until June 3 and consisted of aerial maneuvers and knowledge exchange involving 10 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighters.
The United States deplored the deaths and injuries caused in the raid. "The United States deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained, and is currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy," White House spokesman William Burton said in a statement.
Ambassadors from European Union member-states are to hold emergency talks in Brussels on the Israeli operation.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague urged Israel "to open the crossings to allow unfettered access for aid to Gaza, and address the serious concerns about the deterioration in the humanitarian and economic situation and about the effect on a generation of young Palestinians."
The Vatican expressed "deep sadness" at the Israeli raid.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy accuses Israel of a "disproportionate use of force." The U.N. chief, who is in Uganda attending a key conference on the International Criminal Court, also sought an urgent explanation from the Israeli government before the international community could coordinate its response.
"I'm sure that there will be enough time for the international community to assess the proper response including through the United Nations," Ban said in an apparent indication of punitive actions such as sanctions.
The Irish Foreign Ministry on Monday expressed 'grave concern' over the fate of eight Irish citizens traveling on the aid convoy stormed by Israel.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has denounced the Israeli Navy's attack, describing it as carnage. Three days of mourning has been declared on the Palestinian Lands, as the Palestinian Authority is holding an emergency meeting in Ramallah in the West Bank.
Hundreds of protesters held a demonstration in the Jordanian capital Amman and urged their government to sever diplomatic relations with Israel. Massive demonstrations are taking place on the streets and in front of the United Nations building in the Lebanese capital Beirut.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak held the organizers of the mission responsible for the tragedy.
Israeli radio reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to cut short an official trip to Canada and Washington.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.