Israel decided late Tuesday to release an estimated 600 activists detained in a naval commando raid on a six- ship flotilla bearing aid to the Gaza Strip, DPA reported.
The process was to start at night and would be completed in 48 hours, a government spokesman said following a meeting of cabinet ministers.
Israel earlier Tuesday deported about 50 pro-Palestinian activists, who were taken to Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv. Another 610 who refused to identify themselves, were being held in a prison in southern Israel.
The identities and nationalities of the nine people killed when Israeli soldiers battled it out with activists on board the largest ship in the flotilla early Monday, remained undisclosed.
The assault on the flotilla unleased a wave of condemnation against Israel, but on Tuesday Israeli leaders remained unapologetic and defiant.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said a UN Security Council resolution condemning the raid was "unacceptable and did not advance peace and stability in the Middle East."