Witnesses cast doubt on Israel's raid account

German pro-Palestinian activist Norman Paech said he had only seen wooden sticks being brandished as troops abseiled on to the deck of the ship. Israel says its soldiers were attacked with "knives, clubs and other weapons" and opened fire in self defence. The raid led to widespread condemnation and the UN has called for an inquiry.

Legality of convoy raid
The UN Charter on the Law of the Sea says only if a vessel is suspected to be transporting weapons, or weapons of mass destruction, can it be boarded in international waters.  Otherwise the permission of the ship's flag carrying nation must be sought.The charter allows for naval blockades, but the effect of the blockade on civilians must be proportionate to the effect on the military element for the blockade to be legally enforceable.