Israel admits mistakes but justifies firing on activists

FLAWED intelligence- gathering and planning led to Israel’s botched and deadly raid on a Gaza- bound protest flotilla, with security forces underestimating the potential for violence, said the official report released yesterday.

The report, however, praised the commandos who took part in the operation, saying they were justified in opening fire and killing nine after being confronted by violent pro-Palestinian activists on board one of the ships.

The report concluded that intelligence-gathering was deficient and that various intelligence units did not communicate properly with each other. It criticised the operation’s planners for not having a backup plan in the event of violence. It did not recommend any dismissals.