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GAZA, June 1 (UPI) -- Israeli said it would release detainees taken during its deadly raid on a flotilla of humanitarian aid bound for Gaza amid mounting international criticism. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu decided Tuesday Israel will not prosecute or continue to hold the detainees from the flotilla after earlier indications some who attacked Israeli soldiers boarding the ships would be prosecuted, The Jerusalem Post reported.
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Netanyahu's move came as Egypt took steps toward opening its border with Gaza, weakening the blockade it had maintained along with Israel, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Most of the detainees are to begin leaving Israel Monday night, the Post said, though those of Turkish origin will be sent home sooner on planes Turkey has sent to Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
Detainees refusing to return to their countries will appear before a court that will decide whether to deport them, the Post said.
In Washington, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs did not condemn Israel in the attack but said the Obama administration supported a U.N. Security Council resolution expressing regret "over the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza." The resolution condemned the attack, which it said killed at least 10 civilians, most from Turkey.
Nor would Gibbs speak about whether the attack could jeopardize efforts to restart Mideast peace talks beyond saying, "We think more than ever we need a comprehensive Middle East peace plan."
Earlier, a defiant Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said: "We do not need to apologize for defending ourselves. The armada of hate and violence is merely one manifestation of the constant provocation Israel faces."
The flotilla of six cargo ships and passenger boats was carrying 10,000 tons of aid for Hamas-ruled Gaza, only to be greeted by Israel's blockade.
Israel said pro-Palestinian activists initiated the violence. Organizers of the flotilla said Israeli forces opened fire as soon as they landed on the deck of a Turkish ship.
In defending the raid, Netanyahu said commandos were attacked by passengers on the ship they boarded and fired in self-defense, The New York Times said.
News reports Tuesday indicated a new attempt to bring supplies to the strip was under consideration, the Times reported.
The Security Council called for the immediate release of the ships and the citizens held by Israel and "a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards."
Global leaders roundly criticized Israel and also called for investigations. Turkey recalled its ambassador and canceled planned military exercises.
Netanyahu canceled a Tuesday meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama and returned to Israel.
In the Israeli port of Ashdod, police questioned Sheik Raed Salah, leader of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, about his role in the clashes aboard the flotilla, Haaretz said. Knesset member Hanin Zoabi also was detained and questioned, but released Tuesday. Several other members remain in police custody.
The Higher Arab Monitoring Committee called for a general strike in Israel's Arab sector to protest the flotilla clash. Protests sprang up in several cities, sparked in part about rumors that Salah, who was a part of the flotilla, was injured, Haaretz said.
