Israel offers Turkey $20m in compensation over Gaza flotilla Raid

Israel has offered Turkey $20 million in compensation for the families of the nine Turkish nationals killed and to those wounded during the 2010 Israel Occupation Forces raid on the Mavi Marmara, Haaretz reported Monday.Western diplomats said that progress was being made but there was still no agreement.They added that during round of talks, the Turks softened their position and lowered their compensation demands. The Turks had demanded $30 million, which was still double the $15 million Israel was prepared to pay.Officials in Jerusalem involved with the Turkish talks refused to confirm the sums mentioned by the Western diplomats, but did not deny them, either.The officials added that contacts between the sides were continuing, and that the outlook was positive.It's worth noting that the money will not be paid directly to the wounded or the families of the dead. It will be deposited in a humanitarian fund and distributed to the victims in accordance with defined criteria, Haaretz added.