Israel's leader praised on Tuesday the naval commandos who participated in a deadly raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla last May that drew international condemnation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on a special visit to a military base, told the men they acted "heroically" and "ethically" in an attempt to stop "people who sought to kill you."

The commandos killed nine activists from Turkey in the May 31 raid, which worsened already strained ties with Turkey and ultimately forced Israel to ease its land blockade of Gaza.

"Gaza has become an Iranian terror base — very close and very dangerous," Netanyahu told the fighters at their base in this seaside northern town.

The raid was "vital, imperative, important and legal," he added.

Facing a deadly threat, "you responded professionally, heroically, with restraint and ethically."

After Netanyahu delivered his remarks, he met privately with some of the commandos on the base, including one who is still recovering from injuries sustained when activists seized him and threw onto a lower deckGidi Schmerling, Netanyahu's spokesman, said the commando told Netanyahu he sought to return to active duty.