New York (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Ban Ki-moon has demanded Israel reconsider his request to take part in an international commission of inquiry, into the raid on the Mavi Marmara, 31 May. The ship was part of a flotilla of pro-Palestinian activists, 9 people were killed and dozens wounded in the Israeli army raid in. The UN secretary general has again advanced the proposal following the refusal of Tel Aviv to entrust the investigation to an international court. Meanwhile, Egypt has broken the blockade on Gaza, opening the Rafah crossing.
Israel is maintaining its hard-line position and insists that any investigation into the military raid on the ships is their - and only their - jurisdiction. The government says it will look exclusively into the legality of Israel's naval blockade of Gaza and the raid on the aid flotilla.
However, a UN spokesman reported that Ban Ki-moon is hoping for a "credible international involvement" in the investigations, to ensure a "timely, credible, impartial and transparent" response. He added that have not yet received an official refusal by Israel.
Meanwhile, Egypt has broken the blockade on Gaza, opening the Rafah crossing indefinitely. The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry says that they will allow people "holding a special permit" to cross. However, it is not yet complete freedom of movement because Cairo is only authorizing the "free transit" of people and humanitarian aid.