Despite Israel and Palestinian leaders had agreed to take up peace talks again under US mediation, the Israeli state machine resorted to guns once more. This time the army did not aim at the Palestinian people, but an international fleet of ships trying to reach the Gaza Strip and break the Israeli blockade, in force since 2007. The death toll of the raid is at least of 9 people, a number that deserved world condemnation. Indirect peace talks are stumbling again over further impediments.

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had to meet president Obama on Tuesday to discuss solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but talks had to be postponed. The incident sparked protests and a general strike in the territories occupied by Israel. According to the Palestinian news agency Ma'an, the army of Israel killed 2 more people during an incursion into Gaza, an attack that will hinder even more the peace initiatives in the area.

Israel's official line after the assault of the Free Gaza fleet insists on justifying the measure under basis related to security and counterterrorism. The first reaction of the Israeli government was to accuse the fleet members of supplying aid to Hamas. It even went as far as to link them with Al-Qaida. Then Israel argued that activists carried sharp weapons and sticks, and that they acted violently during the assault of the vessel, which was sailing under Turkish flag.

The raid will certainly weaken ties between Israel and Turkey, its traditional ally in the area. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu addressed the United Nations Security Council on Monday and regarded Israeli actions as a "crime" and a "grave breach of international law". He also remarked the raids were carried away in international waters and against civilians. Davutoğlu also called for Israel to end the blockade of Gaza immediately and to apologize to the international community and to the families of those who have been killed and wounded in the attack. The Security Council issued a press release condemning the attack. However, it does not include sanctions. Spanish presidency of the EU has also censured the aggression but no pressing measures have been envisaged.

Further information:

• The Telegraph: Gaza ship attack analysis: Israel's bad timing
• The Washington Post: Netanyahu's cancellation of meeting with Obama delays efforts to improve ties