Sweden cannot sue Israel over raids against international Gaza aid ships in 2010 and 2012, even if the attackers violated international law, Swedish prosecutor Henrik Attorps has stated on Tuesday, December 9.

MOSCOW, December 9 (Sputnik), Ekaterina Blinova – Sweden cannot sue Israel over raids against international aid ships destined for Gaza in 2010 and 2012, even if the attackers violated international law, the Swedish Prosecution Authority has stated.

"After hearing the Swedish plaintiffs we have identified some facts that may constitute offences, but the perpetrators are unknown and we are unable to determine their identity," prosecutor Henrik Attorps claimed, as quoted by Agence France-Presse.

In June 2014, the prosecutors probed into a 2010 attack carried out by Israeli troops against a six-ship international aid convoy in international waters. The raid against the Mavi Marmara ship resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish citizens. In 2012 Israel captured the Estelle, a Finnish vessel carrying a humanitarian aid for Gazans – again in international waters. It is believed that the people aboard the Estelle, including several Swedish civilians, were held against their will in Israel after the ship was seized. The Swedish prosecutors investigated both cases, including allegations of "aggravated assault" and an alleged breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

However, Israel has rejected to help Sweden with its inquiry. "We have no jurisdiction over acts committed on Israeli territory," Henrik Attorps admitted as cited by Agence France Presse.

Since Stockholm recognized the sovereignty of the Palestinian state on October 30, 2014, Swedish-Israeli relations have deteriorated substantially.

In response, Israel recalled its Ambassador from Sweden for a month.

"The Swedish government needs to understand that the Middle East is more complicated than self-assembly furniture from Ikea and to act on the issue responsibly and with sensitivity," said Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman commenting on Stockholm's decision, as cited by the Times of Israel on October 30, 2014.

Israel has been blockading Gaza since 2006. In 2007, the state hardened the blockade, since the Islamist group Hamas maintained its control over Gaza. In recent years, the restrictions have been eased due to international pressure.