The Zionist entity and Turkey began talks Monday to discuss the terms of compensation to families of victims of the 2010 raid on the Mavi Marmara.

The Zionist entity and Turkey began talks Monday to discuss the terms of compensation to families of victims of the 2010 raid on the Mavi Marmara.

“Officials delegated by the two sides will work on the compensation issue. We gave the kickstart for it today,” Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting.

Arinc called the talks “a big success of Turkish foreign policy.”

Nine Turkish activists were killed by Israeli commandos in May 2010, as they were trying to break an Israeli siege on Gaza strip.

The assault triggered an international outcry and a bitter diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Israel, with Ankara demanding a formal apology and compensation for the families of the victims.

Until last week, Israel had refused. But on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Turkey for the raid -- a breakthrough brokered by US President Barack Obama during his visit to the Zionist entity.