Israeli PM 'regrets' deaths as troops storm aid ships
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed regret after at least nine people died when troops stormed ships trying to break the Gaza blockade.
But he said soldiers had been defending themselves after they were "clubbed, beaten and stabbed".
Pro-Palestinian campaigners say the soldiers opened fire unprovoked when they landed on the aid-carrying ships.
There has been international condemnation of the loss of life, and the UN is holding an emergency session.
As the meeting of the UN Security Council got under way in New York, diplomats said the draft text of a resolution called for condemnation of the operation, the immediate release of the impounded ships and for an international inquiry.
Mr Netanyahu cut short a visit to Canada to deal with the growing crisis and cancelled a scheduled meeting in Washington with US President Barack Obama on Tuesday.
'Defend themselves'
Israel imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip after the Islamist movement Hamas took power there in 2007.
The six-ship convoy had set out to carry 10,000 tonnes of aid from Cyprus to Gaza, despite repeated Israeli warnings that it would not be allowed to reach the territory.
In a statement, Mr Netanyahu defended the Israeli operation, saying troops were attacked when they landed on the largest of the six ships in the flotilla.
BBC News - Israeli PM 'regrets' deaths as troops storm aid ships
