Israel’s Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has ruled out any apology to Turkey over the deaths in May of nine Turkish activists during an Israeli raid on a flotilla that was attempting to bring supplies to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu, in an interview on Israel's Channel 10 television, said Israel is prepared to express regret to Turkey over the loss of life in the incident. But he said Israel maintains that its soldiers acted appropriately in the situation and should not have to face the possibility of prosecution in international tribunals.

After Israeli soldiers stormed the ship on May 31, Israel's ties with Turkey further soured.

Some media said recently that envoys from the two countries, who once enjoyed close military and commercial ties, have recently been exploring ways to repair relations, RFE/RL reported.