UNITED NATIONS The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned acts which resulted in the loss of civilian lives during the deadly Israeli assault on ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid to besieged Gaza, and called for an impartial investigation into the incident in international waters. In a statement issued after 12 hours of marathon negotiations in an emergency session, the Security Council also called for the immediate release of hundreds of international activists and the six ships being held by Israel. The statement read by Security Council President Claude Heller, Mexicos Ambassador, said the Council took note of the statement of the UN Secretary General on the need to have a full investigation into the matter and it calls for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards. The text was weaker than what was initially demanded by the Palestinians, Arabs and Turkey because of objections by the United States, Israels closest ally. They had demanded an independent investigation but the United States backed an Israeli investigation. Israeli commandos carried out the pre-dawn raid Monday in international waters on a convoy of vessels carrying activists from a variety of countries who were bringing food and medical supplies to Gaza to circumvent the Israeli blockade. The Security Council called for the immediate release of all ships and civilians held by Israel. Israeli public radio earlier reported, however, that Israel would hold 480 of the activists and expel 48 others. The Council urges Israel to permit full consular access, to allow the countries concerned to retrieve their deceased and wounded immediately and to ensure the delivery of the humanitarian assistance from the convoy to its destination, the statement said. The Council reiterated its grave concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which it said was not sustainable. It stressed the need for a sustained and regular flow of goods and people to Gaza as well as unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza. Emphasising that the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was a two-state solution, the statement expressed concern that the incident occurred at a time when indirect talks were underway between the sides. It urged the parties to act with restraint, avoiding any unilateral and provocative actions, and all international partners to promote an atmosphere of cooperation between the parties and throughout the region. The closed-door negotiations on the statement followed a public debate in the Council, during which Israel was vehemently attacked by Turkey, the country from which the flotilla departed. Many of those aboard the convoy were Turkish nationals. In individual statements made ahead of the emergency session, almost all 15 council members condemned the Israeli assault. It is clearer than ever that Israels restrictions on access to Gaza must be lifted in line with Security Council Resolution 1860. The current closure is unacceptable and counterproductive, British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said. France, Russia and China - the veto-wielding permanent council members - also called for the blockade to be lifted and for an independent inquiry. The United States, Israels traditional ally which often uses its veto power to shield the Jewish state, did not request specifically that Israel should end its blockade on the Gaza Strip. But it hinted that the measure at least should be eased. But Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told delegates that Israel had lost all legitimacy through the deadly raid. It is murder committed by a state. It has no justification whatsoever, he said. Israels action constitutes a grave breach of international law, Davutoglu said. This is tantamount to banditry and piracy. It is murder conducted by a state. Davutoglu said Turkey wants the Security Council to condemn Israels action, demand an apology, and call for the release of the ships and any detained personnel. He said the Council should ask for an investigation, appropriate legal action against Israel and an end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip. But US Deputy Ambassador Alejandro Wolff told the Security Council the delivery of humanitarian aid by sea was inappropriate and irresponsible. Mechanisms exist for the transfer of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, he said. These non-provocative and non-confrontational mechanisms should be the ones used for the benefit of all those in Gaza. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in Kampala, Uganda, that he was shocked by the news and called for a full explanation from Israel. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, a UN assistant secretary-general, said Ban has no independent information on what happened aboard the ships. Agencies add: On Tuesday, Israel began the process of deporting more than 600 pro-Palestinian activists who were brought ashore after the deadly navy raid. A senior interior ministry official, speaking on army radio, said an initial wave of more than 40 foreign activists were on their way to Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv to be repatriated. A total of 686 passengers were on board the intercepted boats, and of that number 45 are on their way to be deported, said Yossi Edelstein. Those who agreed to be deported have been taken to Ben Gurion. Others who refused to identify themselves have been taken to a prison in the southern city of Beersheva, he said. Those who had not agreed to be deported would be brought before a judge who would decide whether or not to prosecute them. If no charges were pressed, they would be deported within 72 hours. Some 480 activists were being held in Beersheva, while the remaining hundred or so were on Tuesday still at Ashdod port, where the six aid ships were brought after the pre-dawn operation. Israel on Tuesday warned it would prevent all aid ships from reaching besieged Gaza, while pro-Palestinian activists sent another boat to challenge Tel Avivs blockade and Egypt declared it was temporarily opening a crossing into the Palestinian territory after the raid on aid flotilla by Israel. Egypt, which has enforced the blockade with Israel since Hamas seized control of Gaza three years ago, said it was opening the border for several days to allow aid into the area. The governor of Egyptians northern Sinai district, Murad Muwafi, said it was a humanitarian gesture meant to 'alleviate the suffering of our Palestinian brothers after the Israeli attack. Hundreds of Gaza residents quickly gathered at the border. A steady stream of cars with suitcases on roof racks headed toward the border. Some families carrying packed luggage headed to the border by foot. Hamas police with assault rifles patrolled nearby to maintain order. We are working to help residents take advantage of this opportunity, said Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Ihab Ghussein. We hope it will be open all the time, not just as a response to yesterdays events. Meanwhile, Turkeys prime minister declared Tuesday that Israel had carried out a 'bloody massacre by killing nine people on a Gaza-bound Turkish aid ship and said the two countries had reached a turning point in their long-standing alliance. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told lawmakers in the Parliament that the boarding of the Mediterranean flotilla was an attack 'on international law, the conscience of humanity and world peace. Today is a turning point in history. Nothing will be same again, Erdogan said.