Israel detains activists amid world outcry

Most of the victims on board the Mavi Marmara, the lead boat of the flotilla boarded by Israeli commandos, are believed to be Turkish. Around 40 Britons are being held.

Last night the prospect of further conflict emerged as campaigners said two more cargo boats were on their way to the region.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said consular staff had visited 29 of the Britons being held, with the remainder expected to be seen today . "There have been no complaints about their treatment," she added.

Families said they were anxiously awaiting news from loved ones.

Ziauddin Bhaiyat, of Bradford, said he had not heard from his son Mohammed, 26, who was part of the convoy but is understood to have escaped harm in the confrontation.

"We are hoping that he is going to be deported soon. We just want him home – we will still be worried about him until we get him back in this country," he said.

He said his son had been to Gaza last year on another convoy carrying aid.

"He saw how bad living conditions were and that's why he became so passionate and wanted to do something for the people there," he added.

"Before he went he seemed to be in good spirits. He was looking forward to going and helping out."

Worried family members of Paveen Yaqub, 39, of Honley, near Huddersfield, yesterday met Tory Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney to discuss her plight.

Noreen Sheikh-Latif, of Slaithwaite, said her friend had flown to Istanbul to take part in the convoy last week.

"I'm very worried because she's gone out on her own. She's been doing charity work for several years and she's always been very passionate about the plight of the people in Gaza," she said.

"She was fully aware of the consequences of what she was doing and what might happen and she didn't go out naively. She has believed throughout that was where she was meant to be."

Sidique Hajee, of Bradford, who was wrongly named by campaigners yesterday as being in the convoy, said he knew many of those who were seized. The motor mechanic has previously travelled on two land convoys bringing aid to Gaza but had been unable to go this time.

"We're really worried. We need to know the health and wellbeing of all the people on board but there's no information coming out," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the incident underlined the need for Israeli to lift its "unjustifiable and untenable" blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

"What is going on in Gaza has become a humanitarian catastrophe," said the Sheffield Hallam MP. "Whilst, of course, Israel has every right to defend itself and its citizens from any attack, it must now move towards lifting the blockade in Gaza as soon as possible."

A United Nations Security Council statement criticising Israel was finally agreed early yesterday after the United States successfully watered down an call for the action to be condemned "in the strongest terms".

Last night Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen issued a

statement calling for the "immediate release" of the ships and activists being held.

Some of the harshest criticism came from Turkey, once Israel's main ally in the Muslim world.

Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu described the action as an act of "banditry and piracy" on the high seas and "murder conducted by a state".

Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said that the detainees were being treated in line with international practice.

Troops had no choice, insists Israel

Israel insisted its troops had been left with no choice but to use force after they came under attack from activists armed with knives and iron bars after they boarded the ship.

It said organisers had ignored a demand to take the cargo to an Israeli port, where it would be inspected and transferred to Gaza. In most cases, the passengers quickly surrendered. But on the largest ship

their forces encountered resistance.

It is claimed one soldier was thrown off the ship. Others jumped overboard to escape the mob. Israel said they were attacked by knives, clubs and live fire from two pistols.