TEL AVIV- Israel's military failed to prepare adequately for what turned into a deadly raid on a Gaza aid flotilla, according to findings of a military inquiry quoted by the Israeli media on Monday. The official report into the May 31 incident, in which nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists were killed, was set to be released later in the day by a military commission led by Giora Eiland, a retired Israeli general. A civilian panel is conducting a separate investigation into the interception that triggered an international outcry and severely strained Israel's relations with its once-close Muslim ally Turkey. Quoting from what it said were portions of the military commission's report, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said the findings pointed to "flawed preparation (in intelligence) prior to the arrival" of the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara. The "battle guidelines" issued to commandos who raided the vessel were flawed as was the intelligence. Israel said the troops acted in self-defense in opening fire on passengers who attacked them with metal rods and knives as the Israelis boarded the ship. Some of the commandos, the military said at the time, were armed with paintball guns - but also carried pistols -- in anticipation of only light resistance. Yedioth Ahronoth and other Israeli media reported that the Eiland commission's report would not call for any military personnel to resign. But the findings raised speculation that senior officers' careers could be affected. Israel has said its commandos were enforcing a naval blockade necessary to prevent weapons from reaching the Gaza Strip's Hamas Islamist rulers. I
