Israel has decided to release three Turkish-owned ships that took part in a humanitarian aid flotilla raided by the navy en route to the Gaza Strip two months ago.

The ships were towed to Israel's harbours and have been sitting in the Ashdod and Haifa ports since then. The Turkey embassy has officially asked the Foreign Ministry on a number of occasions to release the vessels, which are owned by non-governmental companies in Turkey.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman finally acceded to the request during deliberations on Thursday.

The Defense Ministry will coordinate with a Turkish delegation to see a fleet of tow vessels brought over from Turkey in the coming days to pick up the three ships, Haaretz reported.