Israel has deported another group of pro-Palestinian activists after they tried to sail a second ship into Gaza.

On Saturday, srael's navy peacefully boarded the Rachel Corrie, 30km off the Israeli coastline, to prevent the activists from breaching the blockade of Gaza.

The move followed the rejection by the Rachel Corrie of Israeli and American appeals to sail into an Israeli port.

Five Irish nationals who were on board have been flown out of Tel Aviv and are expected to arrive home today, along with others from Malaysia and Cuba. Among the activists are Máiread Maguire, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Denis Halliday, a former UN assistant secretary-general.

Israel has said supplies from the ship, including wheelchairs and cement, will still be transferred to the Gaza Strip.

The ship sailed to the area along with the Mavi Marmara, on which nine activists allegedly with ties to Hamas were killed during fighting with the navy.

The Free Gaza Movement which sent the ships, has said they will send more.

Meanwhile, at least four Palestinian militants have been killed off the Gaza coast. The group, wearing diving gear, were said to be on their way to carry out a terror attack early on Monday morning when the Israeli navy intercepted them.

Palestinian sources reported that the group were part of the extremist Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade.