Israel has detained 480 pro-Palestinian activists captured in its deadly commando raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and will expel 48 others, public radio reported Tuesday.Those detained were being held at the southern Israeli prison of Ashdod, while the other 48 were being taken to Ben Gurion international airport to be sent back to their home countries, said the report.
According to other reports, meanwhile, Israel's navy said it is ready to stop another aid ship headed towards Gaza.A navy commander played down on Tuesday the prospect of his men shying from confrontation after their bloody seizure of a Turkish vessel a day earlier. Israel's Army Radio reported that the MV Rachel Corrie, a converted merchant ship, would reach Gazan waters by Wednesday. A marine lieutenant who was not named told Army Radio in an interview that he expected an easy takeover of the ship. "We as a unit are studying, and we will carry out professional investigations to reach conclusions," the lieutenant said, referring to a skirmish in which his unit shot nine international activists aboard the Turkish ferry.
"And will we also be ready for the Rachel Corrie," he added. In an Internet posting from Ireland on April 20, the Perdana Global Peace Organisation said the Free Gaza Movement, which opposes an Israeli-led blockade on the Palestinian territory, bought the Rachel Corrie as part of an aid flotilla.
Source : Agencies
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