Israel detains 480 activists from Gaza aid flotilla
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Some 480 peace activists from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla were detained by Israeli authority Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Israel police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the authority will identify the activists and decide whom to be deported to their residential countries based on their own agreement and whom to be detained.
Some 48 of the activists detained have been transferred early Tuesday morning to Ben Gurion International Airport for deportation, local daily the Jerusalem Post reported.
Among the detainees was Sheikh Raed Salah, the Islamic Movement 's northern branch leader, said the report, adding that the police is now interrogating his role in the deadly showdown between the Jewish state and pro-Palestinian campaigners.
Clashes happened early Monday morning when Israeli navy backed with helicopters raided a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) updated the death toll of the activists to nine Monday night, and numerous were injured during the clashes including seven Israeli soldiers.
IDF spokesperson's office told Xinhua Tuesday morning that so far the army is checking the goods from the flotilla, and it is expected that the goods will be transferred to Gaza via Kerem Shalom crossing at local time 11:30 a.m. (0830 GMT).
The six-vessel flotilla, aiming at focusing world attention on the plight of the Gazans, consists of more than 10,000 tons of aid, stationery, medical supplies and construction materials as well as hundreds of peace activists from over 40 countries.
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