New York (CNN) -- The United Nations will launch a panel of inquiry Tuesday into Israel's interception of a humanitarian aid flotilla, in which nine people were killed.
Israel has already said that it will not participate in the U.N. inquiry if the panel asks to question soldiers.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarifies that Israel will not cooperate and will not participate in any panel that will demand to interrogate IDF soldiers," said government spokesman Nir Hefetz.
The investigation begins a day after Israel opened its commission to investigate the incident that left one Turkish-American and eight Turkish activists dead in the altercation.
Israeli commandos intercepted the flotilla at sea and stormed the largest vessel, the Turkish-flagged Mavi Marmara.
Israel has maintained its troops used force on the activists after they were attacked by those on board. Soldiers were attacked with knives, metal poles and other objects, Israeli officials have said. But passengers on board the boat insist they were fired upon without provocation.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in testimony Tuesday that he bears full responsibility for the actions of his soldiers. CNN
