The secretary general of NATO urged on Tuesday Israel to set free the civilians it detained in a Gaza-bound aid convoy.

Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also urged Israel to set the aid ships free.

NATO met on Tuesday upon Turkey's call to discuss Monday's attack of the Israeli navy forces on an aid flotilla.

NATO member states were exchanging views on Israel's military operation against aid ships, Rasmussen said during the extraordinary NATO meeting.

Rasmussen expressed deep sorrow over death and injuries during use of force, presented his sincere condolences to families of the victims, and condemned the acts that caused this tragedy.

NATO also joined the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU), which have called for an immediate, objective, reliable and transparent inquiry regarding the attack.

Israeli navy forces raided on Monday a convoy of aid ships of Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza, killing nine people and injuring 30 others.
 

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