Israel's top leadership is accused of negligence by an official report on a May 2010 commando operation against an international aid flotilla to the Gaza Strip in which nine Turkish nationals were killed, a local newspaper reported on Thursday.

State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss, who has issued a draft report on the incident last year, on Wednesday submitted its final version to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and parliament's state review committee.

The report will not be made public until the committee decides which of its sections, mainly those that contain sensitive security-related information, would remain confidential. However, its first chapter, which deals with the decision-making process in the government prior to the deadly naval raid, is said to be highly critical of Netanyahu.

The report notes that the premier did not properly assess "the enormity" of the military operation and its ramifications. Netanyahu was in Canada when navy commandos stormed the Turkish- flagged Mavi Marmara, and cut short his trip in its aftermath in order to handle the crisis that ensued.

Another official included in the report is Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who authorized the operational plans to stop the flotilla from breaching the naval blockade Israel imposes on Gaza. The comptroller notes his failure to conduct proper planning ahead of the raid and to seek broader approval from within the government.

The report's other chapters blast the lack of early intelligence on the violent resistance planned by the passengers aboard the Turkish ship, as well as the poor performance of Israel 's public relations campaign before and after the incident, which sparked a firestorm of international criticism and dealt a fatal blow to Israel-Turkish ties.

In related news, Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot on Thursday published excerpts of an exclusive interview with members of Flotilla 13, the elite naval unit sent to intercept the Gaza-bound flotilla, who were severely wounded in the operation.

"At first, I didn't comprehend. I place my hand on my stomach and I don't exactly understand what is happening... Five seconds later I again place my hand on the stomach and my entire finger sinks inside. And then I tell myself that I took a live bullet, and I get pissed," described A., who rappelled from a military helicopter to the deck of the Turkish vessel, in the interview which will be published in full on Friday.

Another soldier, identified only as Y., vividly recounted his own confrontation with dozens of activists armed with axes, knives and crow bars.

"I'm with head injuries and my left hand was wounded because they pounded it with clubs. Half bent, I mostly shield my head, and then I do this (mental) switch. I bend down to pull out the pistol and I fire a round into the leg of each of my attackers," Y. conveyed.

"All in all, we were pretty lucky," concluded Y., who returned to military service following a long rehabilitation.