Red Cross granted access to "dozens" of flotilla activists

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) began Tuesday to visit activists being detained by Israel for participating in the flotilla which attempted to bring aid to the Gaza Strip, DPA reported.

Many governments with citizens who were aboard the ships, particularly those without diplomatic relations with the Jewish state, have been demanding the neutral organization be allowed to visit the detainees.

"We have been granted access to dozens of activists from the convoy of ships now being held by the Israeli authorities, and we are re-establishing contact with their families," Pierre Wettach, the ICRC's head of delegation in Israel and the occupied territories, said in a statement.

An official in Geneva said the ICRC was also able to visit some of the wounded in hospital.

The humanitarian organization said it has also offered "to serve as a neutral intermediary in behalf of citizens from countries that have no diplomatic relations with Israel," noting they were protected under international law.

In the statement, the ICRC said it "strongly deplores the tragic loss of civilian lives and the injuries" in the raid.

The aid organization urged Israel to lift the closure on the enclave, saying "Gazans continue to suffer the effects of siege-induced poverty and warfare."

Israel has began deporting about 50 pro-Palestinian activists detained in a naval commando raid on the six ship flotilla, after they identified themselves to Israeli authorities.

Another 610 who refused to identify themselves, were being held in a prison in southern Israel.

Israeli Internal Security Minister Yizhak Aharonovich warned that Israel would "prosecute to the full extent of the law anyone who lifted a hand against Israeli soldiers."