Retired Justice Jacob Turkel, head of the commission probing the events surrounding the Gaza-bound flotilla, has issued letters to military and government officials demanding they turn over to him all correspondence that led to the decision to besiege the Gaza Strip.

Letters were issued to Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein and Brigadier General (Res.) Giora Eiland.

Turkel also asked for all the documentation pertaining to the takeover of the Turkish flotilla in the end of May.

In addition, the committee will be receiving two new members. Channel 2 reported on Thursday that Reuven Merhav and Professor Miguel Deutsch will be joining Turkel, Amos Horev and Shabtai Rosen, alongside observers William David Trimble and Ken Watkin.

Merhav, 76, is an Orientalist and veteran diplomat who served as the director-general of the Foreign Ministry.

Deutsch, a 55-year-old law professor, will be the youngest member on the committee. He is considered a close associate to former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak.

Earlier this week the dates officials will testify before the committee were released. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be the first to testify on August 9.

The defense minister will give his testimony the following day, and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi will appear before the committee on August 11. According to previous agreements, the testimonies will be made public.