Munich Olympics massacre compensation deal struck

A compensation deal has been reached between Germany and the relatives of Israelis killed in an attack during the 1972 Munich Olympics, Germany has said.

The Olympics were overshadowed by the killing of 11 Israelis, who were taken hostage by members of a Palestinian militant group.

The €28m (£24m) deal was struck days before the 50th anniversary of the tragedy.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has welcomed the compensation deal.

Mr Herzog said it was an "important step by the German government" to take responsibility and make reparations "for the historic injustice done to the families of the victims of the Munich massacre".

The deal pledges to recognise the terrible suffering of those killed and their relatives.

The Munich massacre on 5 September 1972 is one of the darkest chapters in Olympic history.

Members of the Israeli team were taken hostage inside the Olympic village by Palestinian gunmen from the Black September group.

Two were shot dead almost immediately, while the others were killed during a gun battle with West German police at a nearby airfield, as the militants tried to take them out of the country.

Before the announcement of the deal, the victims' families had threatened not to attend a commemoration ceremony, which is due to take place on Monday.

In a joint statement, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Mr Herzog said they were "happy and relieved" that an agreement on historical clarification had been reached.

Germany has also said it will declassify documents related to the hostage-taking and the botched rescue operation.