Israeli soldiers stand guard on a missile ship as the Israeli navy intercepts a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea on May 31, killing several pro-Palestinian activists in a pre-dawn raid that sparked global outrage. Picture: Lehtikuva - AFP - Uriel Sinai

Alexander Stubb (cons), Finland's foreign minister, said Monday that he was deeply shocked at Israel's attack on a convoy of aid ships heading for the Gaza strip.

"All violence directed at civilians must be condemned. This should not happen," the foreign minister told the Finnish News Agency (STT).

Stubb said that Finland would summon the Israeli ambassador to provide an explanation and added that he had also communicated with the foreign minister of Turkey, from where most of those hurt or killed in Monday's attack were from.

According to Stubb, Israel's attack on the aid convoy was particularly unfortunate, as it will directly help the extremist Hamas movement, which currently controls Gaza.

STT