News

Israel's plans to hold an inquiry into its deadly raid on a convoy of Gaza-bound aid ships have been dismissed by Turkey and the Palestinians.

Turkey said Israel could not run an impartial probe into the deaths of nine Turkish activists during a 31 May raid.

And Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said the inquiry would not meet demands made by the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile, Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair says he hopes Israel will allow more humanitarian items into Gaza.

Speaking to the BBC before briefing European Union foreign ministers, Mr Blair said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed in principle to a "significant change" in the way the blockade was organised.

At the meeting, EU foreign affairs chief Cathy Ashton said the bloc was ready to send monitors to support the opening of border crossings as soon as they saw signs of movement from Israel.