Israel said it would release detainees taken from an aid flotilla to the Gaza Strip Monday, amid a mounting international outcry over claims it used excessive force in a raid that led to the deaths of nine activists. Israel’s decision came as Egypt moved to open its own border with Gaza, weakening the joint blockade that Israel was enforcing when it stopped a six-ship flotilla bound for the Palestinian territory early Monday. The Israel Defense Force said Tuesday that two more vessels were headed to Gaza in an attempt to run its blockade of the territory. A spokesman said Israeli forces were making preparations to prevent them from reaching shore. Adding to the tensions Tuesday, Israel’s air force met rocket fire from northern Gaza with an airstrike that killed three militants. source.

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