JERUSALEM, Israel (AP) Israeli commandos rappelled down to an aid flotilla sailing to thwart a Gaza blockade yesterday, clashing with pro-Palestinian activists on the lead ship in a botched raid that left at least nine passengers dead.

*lo**ied passengers sprawled on the deck and troops dived into the sea to save themselves during several hours of hand-to-hand fighting that injured dozens of activists and six soldiers. Hundreds of activists were towed from the international waters to Israeli detention centres and hospitals.

International condemnation was swift and harsh as Israel scrambled to explain how what was meant to be a simple take-over of a civilian vessel went so badly awry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly cancelled a planned meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington to rush home.

The global reaction appeared likely to increase pressure to end the embargo that has plunged Gaza's 1.5 million residents deeper into poverty.

Most of the information about what happened on the single ship where violence broke out came from Israel, which cut off all communication to and from the activists and provided testimony and video evidence that its soldiers came under attack by activists armed with metal rods, knives, slingshots and two pistols snatched from the troops.

Yesterday, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the matter.