国际英语新闻：Israeli PM defends Gaza flotilla operation before probe panel

Netanyahu said Hamas had been largely successful in convincing the international community that Israel's siege and maritime blockade were at fault for creating a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but said that image was wrong.

The premier noted that there was no hunger in Gaza and there was no lack of medicines or other essential items at the present time, adding that Israel has also increased the goods delivering into the Palestinian enclave.

When asked who he placed in charge of the operation during his trip to Washington a few days prior to the raid, the Israeli premier named Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who is to provide his testimony on Tuesday. IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi will appear before the committee a day later.

Most of Netanyahu's testimony was made public, with representatives from a host of national and international media organizations present at the modest Jerusalem lodge where the testimonies are being heard.

Local media reported that Netanyahu spent the last few days writing the speech he presented as a prelude to the commission members' questions. The Israeli premier consulted last week with his lawyer and, according to reports, spent recent days conducting simulation games with his personal advisor in preparation for questions he may be required to answer by the commission.