Israel has detained 480 pro-Palestinian activists captured in its deadly commando raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and will expel 48 others, public radio reported Tuesday.

NONE Those held were being held at the southern Israeli prison of Ashdod, while the other 48 were being taken to Ben Gurion international airport to be sent back to their home countries, AFP reported.

Ten Malaysian volunteers and two journalists were part of the aid flotilla.

Bernama reported Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman as saying later today that all 12 Malaysians who onboard the Mavi Marmara ship which came under attack are safe.

Efforts are now underway to bring them home, Anifah added.

According to Reuters , meanwhile, some 700 activists, many Turks but including Israelis and Palestinians as well as Americans and many Europeans were processed in and around Israel's port of Ashdod, where the six ships of the blockade-running convoy had been escorted.

Among those held are politicians, a Jewish Holocaust survivor and Swedish author.

NONE They were detained incommunicado, ensuring no contradiction of Israel's version of Monday's events.

The Interior Ministry said today that while about 50 activists had

been taken for voluntary repatriation, around 629 had refused, and would be jailed while Israel weighed legal options.

Some 30 were in hospitals with injuries.

Israeli Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch said police were gathering evidence to prosecute activists who had set upon the marines with fists, batons, knives and gunfire.

"All those who lifted a hand against a soldier will be punished to the full extent of the law," he told Israel Radio .

Navy to confront another ship

According to other reports, Israel's navy said it is ready to stop another aid ship headed towards Gaza.

A navy commander played down on Tuesday the prospect of his men shying from confrontation after their bloody seizure of a Turkish vessel a day earlier.

NONE Israel's Army Radio reported that the MV Rachel Corrie , a converted merchant ship, would reach Gazan waters by Wednesday.

Several other Malaysian volunteers are said to be part of the 'second wave' of aid ships of which the Rachel Corrie is part.

A marine lieutenant who was not named told Army Radio in an interview that he expected an easy takeover of the ship.

"We as a unit are studying, and we will carry out professional investigations to reach conclusions," the lieutenant said, referring to a skirmish in which his unit shot nine international activists aboard the Turkish ferry.

"And we will also be ready for the Rachel Corrie ," he added.

In an Internet posting from Ireland on April 20, the Perdana Global Peace Organisation said the Free Gaza Movement, which opposes an Israeli-led blockade on the Palestinian territory, bought the Rachel Corrie as part of an aid flotilla. 

- Agencies