FAMILIES of British nationals kidnapped by Israel while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza called on the Foreign Office today to secure their release and halt its complicity in the genocide.

The Israeli military intercepted yet another flotilla this morning in international waters, after blocking a 42-boat aid convoy last week. Some 145 activists were detained in the raid.

The mission was run jointly by Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which deployed its flagship vessel Conscience, and Thousand Madleens, who joined with eight sailboats.

The flotilla had aimed to deliver $110,000 (£81,000) worth of food and medical aid to Gaza, where 2.1 million people have been starved of supplies.

But at around 4.30am, the flotilla lost all communication.

Adalah, the legal team on the ground, said that beforehand, “participants aboard the Conscience — primarily doctors, nurses, and journalists — reported being attacked by an Israeli military helicopter.”

It added that Israeli naval forces “simultaneously intercepted and boarded the Thousand Madleens sailboats.”

The vessels were around 120 nautical miles from Gaza, deep in international waters, the mission’s organisers said.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on X that the vessels and passengers had been transported to an Israeli port.

David Heap, from the FFC steering committee, said: “This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the ICJ’s binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.”

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry slammed the interception as an “an act of piracy.”

The Public Law Interest Centre (PILC) reported that three of its clients, British nationals Mohammed Mokuzzal Ali, Roger Leigh Evans and Uzma Usmani were among those detained.

Mr Evans’s partner Marion said: “We are all deeply concerned for the welfare of Leigh and his fellow humanitarians.

“They are committing no crimes and are on a peaceful humanitarian mission to deliver vital aid and aim to bring international awareness to plight of the Palestinian people.”

Furrukh, the brother of Ms Usmani, said: “Israel has acted illegally under international law to have intercepted boats carrying vital aid for those in need.

“We call on our government to stop its complicity in the genocide and to protect its own people in securing the immediate release of my sister Uzma Usmani and all other British citizens who have been unlawfully kidnapped by Israel.”

It comes following the interception of more than 40 vessels and 450 activists aboard another convoy, the Global Sumud Flotilla last week.

Malaysian singer Hazwani Helmi reported that detainees had to drink toilet water, were deprived of food, and that medication had been confiscated.

French MEP Rima Hassan said she was beaten by Israeli police, and US activist David Adler reported detainees being “stripped, zip-tied, blindfolded.”  

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was reportedly made to kiss an Israeli flag.

Israel has said it has since deported 341 of those on board.

PILC says it has twice written to the British government, calling for action to guarantee the safety and protection of its detained clients.

The organisation’s legal director, Helen Mowatt, said: “Given the well-documented mistreatment of previous flotilla peace activists, it is imperative that the British government acts immediately to ensure the safety and protection of its citizens.

“Despite our prior correspondence alerting the government to the imminent risk of interception, mistreatment and unlawful detention, we have yet to receive any assurance that all necessary measures are being taken.

“In light of this, we are now considering the escalation of our legal action.”

Meanwhile, conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. Last week, the UN warned that famine has taken hold, with more than half a million people facing starvation.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the families of a number of British nationals who have been detained in Israel and we are in touch with the local authorities.”