Israel urges halt to new flotilla from Lebanon

Israel's U.N. ambassador on Friday urged the government of Lebanon and the international community to prevent a small group of ships from trying to break the blockade of Gaza, warning that it reserves the right to use "all necessary means" to stop the vessels.

Gabriela Shalev sent a letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warning that the attempt by the organizers to sail from Lebanon and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza could escalate tensions and affect peace and security in the region.

Shalev's letter was circulated soon after secretary-general Ban urged Israel to agree to an international investigation of its deadly commando raid on a Turkish ship trying to bring aid to Gaza on May 31 and do "much more" to meet the needs of the Palestinians living under the three-year blockade..

Given the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which controls Gaza, the declared intentions of the ships to break the blockade, and their departure from Lebanon which "remains in a state of hostility with Israel," she said, "Israel reserves its right under international law to use all necessary means to prevent these ships from violating the existing naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip."

Israel imposed the blockade in 2007 after Hamas violently overran Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had rejected calls to lift the blockade, insisting it prevents missile attacks on Israel. But under intense international pressure following the flotilla raid - which resulted in the killing of eight Turkish activists and a Turkish-American - the Israeli government on Thursday announced it will allow all foods and some desperately needed construction materials into Gaza.

Shalev said the true intentions of the organizers of the flotilla from Lebanon remain "dubious," noting that they have been quoted in the media saying they wish to be "shahids" or martyrs. She also cited "a possible link" between the organizers and "the terrorist group Hezbollah" based in Lebanon and said "Israel cannot exclude the possibility that terrorists or arms will be smuggled on board the ships in question."

"In view of these circumstances, Israel calls upon the government of Lebanon to demonstrate responsibility and to prevent these boats from departing to the Gaza Strip," she said. "Israel further calls upon the international community to exercise its influence in order to prevent these boats from departing and to discourage their nations from taking part in such action."

The U.N. chief said he is "encouraged" that Israel is reviewing its Gaza policy and recently decided to allow more goods into the Palestinian territory.

"Nevertheless, much more is required to really meet the needs of the people," Ban said. "I continue to call for a fundamental change in the policies that apply to Gaza."

The announcement, however, did little to quell the global outcry over the deadly raid. Israel maintains its soldiers acted in self-defense.

Ban told reporters that he has been trying to arrange the "prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards" that the U.N. Security Council called on June 1.

He said Israel's own investigation into the flotilla raid - a public commission with two international observers - "is important" but won't have "international credibility," which is why he is continuing to urge the Israeli government to agree to an international panel under a third party "in which both Turkey and Israel would actively participate."

Pressed on why he didn't just go ahead and appoint an international commission, the secretary-general explained that without Israel's "full cooperation it would be extremely difficult to have a full and credible investigation, and that is why even if it may take time, I'm discussing this matter with Israeli government."