It was a mistake in the fog of war. There were Egyptian military vessels in the area. Israel apologized and paid restitution to the families of the sailors who died. My brother who served in the Army Iraq told me that his convoy was fired on by one our jets and several of his soldiers under his command were killed. He was riding in the front of the convoy and screaming on the radio to call off the attack.
Lyndon Baines Johnson knew very well of the plan, and he approved it! The Spy Ship Left Out in the Cold
@philosopher A lttle research on your part would go a long way. Restitution and an apology can be contrition or damage control.