The Committee to Protect Journalists has denounced Israel's editing and distribution of footage confiscated from foreign journalists aboard the Gaza-bound flotilla.

The New York-based press watchdog accuses the Israeli defence force of releasing edited portions of confiscated video on YouTube that fail to get across the reality.

It refers to claims by the Foreign Press Association in Israel that the military "is selectively using footage to bolster its claims that commandos opened fire only after being attacked."

The CPJ has called on the Israeli government to return all equipment, notes, and footage confiscated from journalists.

Its Middle East and North Africa programme coordinator, Mohamed Abdel Dayem, said: "Israel has confiscated journalistic material and then manipulated it to serve its interests. It must cease this practice without delay, and return all property seized from journalists who were covering this legitimate news event."

He also complained about "the treatment meted out" to journalists as being unacceptable. "It is Israel's responsibility to conduct its operations in ways that also allow journalists to report the news," he said.

Sources: CPJ/AP