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Israel - Palestine

UN calls for probe as Israel holds activists and maintains blockades

The United Nations Security Council called Tuesday for an impartial investigation into Israel's attack against a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. The call also requested the release of civilian activists.

AFP
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The statement, read by current council president Claude Heller, condemned "those acts which resulted in the loss of at least 10 civilians and many wounded", and requested the immediate release of all civilians held by Israel.

Israel detained 480 activists captured during an early Monday morning raid on the Gaza-bound aid boat, which has sparked international condemnation.

The detainees were being held in the Israeli prison of Ashdod, with another 48 being taken to Ben Gurion international airport to be sent back to their home countries, according to public radio reports.

Israeli Defence Forces blamed activists on the ship for creating the confrontation by attacking its soldiers as they boarded the vessel.

A senior defence official said Israel will block any future aid ships' attempts to reach to the besieged Gaza Strip.

"We will not let any ships reach Gaza and supply what has become a terrorist base threatening the heart of Israel," deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai told public radio Tuesday.

The remarks came as flotilla organisers were preparing to send two more aid boats and run the blockade.

Greta Berlin of the Free Gaza Movement said the next attempt would not take place for several days, due to one ship "currently located off the coast of Italy" and another "still being repaired".

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