Death toll from Gaza aid attack hits 20

The death toll from the Israeli navy’s takeover of a Gaza aid convoy has risen to 20 while Israel carefully censors reports on the casualties from the attack.

Gaza Freedom Flotilla came under fire early on Monday by Israeli navy forces in international waters more than 150km (90 miles) off the coast of Gaza.

The six-ship aid fleet was soon stormed by commandos descending from helicopters.

At least 20 people were killed in the takeover of the Gaza aid convoy, a Press TV correspondent reported, saying more than 50 people were also wounded in the attack.

The news trickled through the Israeli military censorship which has sought to block the reporting of any information about casualties being transferred to Israeli hospitals.

Israel radio said the censor was referring to any casualties brought to Israel for treatment.

Meanwhile, Israeli Trade and Industry Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer expressed regrets for deaths aboard Gaza aid ships.

“The images are certainly not pleasant. I can only voice regret at all the fatalities,” he told Israel’s Army Radio.

The comments, are seen the first official acknowledgement by Tel Aviv that the attack had turned fatal.

Israel had initially declined comment on the reports of casualties from the takeover of the aid ships.