ASHDOD, ISRAEL (ANS) -- As Israel faces a new international crisis and criticism from governments around the world for its handling of the raid on the Gaza Aid flotilla, Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his concern over the violence that ensued during the military interdiction.

Former US diplomat Martin Barillas, who also worked as a democracy advocate and election observer in Latin America, writing for the website www.speroforum.com , reports that at the end of the Pope's general audience on June 2, Benedict XVI noted that he has been following "with great trepidation, the tragic events that have taken place near the Gaza Strip.

"I feel the need to express my deepest condolences to the victims of these sorrowful events that are troubling all those who are concerned with peace in the area," said Benedict.

Pope Benedict added, “I again repeat, with heavy heart, that violence does not resolve conflict but only increases its tragic consequences and generates more violence. I appeal to all political leaders at the local and international levels to constantly seek just solutions through dialogue in a way that guarantees the best condition of life, harmony, and serenity to the peoples of the area. I invite you all to join in prayer for the victims, their families, and for all those who are suffering. The Lord sustains the efforts of those who never tire of working for reconciliation and peace."

Barillas said this followed remarks released in a written form by papal spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi, on June 1 in reference to the May 31 raid by Israeli marines on the flotilla of six ships organized by sympathizers of the Palestinian cause who were bringing supplies to the Gaza Strip, currently embargoed by Israel and Egypt.

Fr. Lombardi wrote, that the incident involved an “unnecessary loss of human life,” while he reiterated the Vatican's concern over the situation.

After the violent clash, on one of the six ships, at least nine activists were killed, while Israeli commandos were also shot and injured, according to media reports.

According to news reports, the ships were carrying supplies to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Barillas says Israel has long feared that such shipments carry weapons and other war materiel to terrorists operating in the Gaza Strip. Hamas -- long recognized as a terrorist movement supported by Iran -- has consistently lobbed missiles into Israel, exacerbating the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“It's a very painful fact, especially for the unnecessary loss of human life,” Fr. Lombardi said of the bloody conflict. “The situation is being followed in the Vatican with great attention and concern.”

Barillas said that when the Israeli commandos descended on one of the ships in the flotilla, they were met with knives, baseball bats, and improvised weapons. At least one Israeli commando was stabbed and another was shot.

Israeli Defense Ministry spokespersons said that Israel had not expected the ferocity of the activists on board the Turkish vessel "Mavi Marmara." There were no such incidents on the other ships in the flotilla.

“As is known,” added Fr. Lombardi, “the Holy See is always against the employment of violence -- from wherever it may come -- because it makes the search for peaceful solutions, the only forward-looking ones, ever more difficult.”

Barillas states that Turkey has demanded an official apology from Israel and an end to the blockade in Gaza.

Barillas goes on to say that TV footage shows Israeli soldiers being beaten with sticks.

He writes: "At least two Israeli commandos were disarmed of their pistols, which served as back-up for paint-ball guns. They were beaten and stabbed; one commando was thrown on a deck and is in critical condition."

Media reports say several hundred activists from a number of countries, including the United States, UK, and Turkey were being held by Israeli authorities, but have since been released. Several European countries criticized the excessive use of force by the Israeli military.

Critics of the sea-borne operation have said that the Gaza flotilla intercepted by Israel was not humanitarian, noting that the organizers refused several Israeli offers to safely land the vessels’ cargo at a port in the Gaza for transfer.

Referring to the Pope's upcoming visit to Cyprus from June 4-6, Fr. Lombardi said the Pope, who will go within a few days to the Middle East, "will not fail to propose again, with constancy, the message of peace."

According to Barillas, the flotilla departed from that area of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since the 1970s. The pope will visit the Greek-majority side of Cyprus, whose government is still recognized as the legitimate sovereign state of Cyprus.

During his visit, Benedict XVI will release the “instrumentum laboris” or 'working document' for the Synod of Catholic Bishops' Special Assembly for the Middle East that will take place in Rome next October. Cyprus is considered by the Vatican to be a focal point for Christian efforts in the promotion of peace in the Middle East, Barillas said.

He concludes: "Even while several countries, such as Spain, Greece, Turkey, and Sweden have recalled their ambassadors, the Vatican’s diplomatic representative remains in Israel. Enraged protesters in several capital cities such as Athens, Paris, and London, demanded an independent investigation into the incident, as did the UN Security Council."

Meanwhile, in his 'FLASH TRAFFIC' Newsletter on Middle East events, Joel Rosenberg, a Mid-East expert who runs the Joshua Fund, a nonprofit charitable and educational organization that provides humanitarian relief for victims of war and terrorism in Israel and the Muslim world, writes: "Israel is being bombarded with lies, false and unfair allegations and sheer anti-Semitic assaults. The U.S. is doing precious little to defend its most faithful ally in the Middle East, but this is the precise moment for followers of Jesus Christ to show unconditional love and unwavering support for the Jewish State amidst this brutal onslaught."

He goes on to state that in his opinion, "The Israeli Defense Forces had every right to defend themselves and their country from the brutal and premeditated attacks of terrorists and left-wing anti-Israel activists, and it is unconscionable for world leaders to act otherwise. "

Rosenberg, who as a communications strategist has worked with some of the world's most influential leaders in business, politics, and media, including Steve Forbes, Rush Limbaugh, former Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, then gives some of the "back story" and more information.

"Here's the background of what happened: Israeli is facing a new international crisis after a spasm of violence aboard Turkish-flagged boats filled with some 600 activists from the Middle East and Europe that were heading for Gaza as part of a 'Gaza aid flotilla.'

"French, Danish and Israelis sources said some of the Turkish-backed left-wing activists had connections to terrorist organizations, including al-Qaeda and Hamas. The Israeli government had made it clear in advance that the six boats would not be allowed to enter Gaza directly, but would have to bring any humanitarian aid they carried to be bringing through Israeli ports. Israeli commandos ordered the boats to stop, but the flotilla refused. The Israelis then forced the boats to stop and boarded them in part to determine if the activists were trying to smuggle weapons into Gaza. The commandos were then attacked by the activists and the Israelis defended themselves. At least 10 activists were killed and several more were wounded. At least 5 Israeli commandos were wounded, as well."

Rosenberg states that according to Netanyahu: "They [the Israeli soldiers] were mobbed, they were clubbed, they were beaten, stabbed, there was even a report of gunfire. And our soldiers had to defend themselves."

Netanyahu stated: "Our policy was and will continue to be that Israel would let humanitarian aid, any kind of goods that are meant for peace, to the civilian population of Gaza…We have no problems with the people of Gaza. We do have a conflict with the terrorist regime of Hamas, supported by Iran. We want to maintain a situation where we prevent weapons and war materials from coming into Gaza, and allowing humanitarian aid to go to the population of Gaza."

More details are available on Rosenberg's weblog -- http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com .

For additional information on Joel C. Rosenberg, visit www.joelrosenberg.com .

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649,at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Chief Reporter