Irish deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris will convene a meeting of senior officials this morning to discuss the fate of 20 Irish citizens on board the Global Sumud Flotilla.

“The overriding concern remains the welfare of those on board, including Irish citizens,” the department for foreign affairs said in a statement.

“Our latest understanding is that passengers will be transferred to an Israeli port for processing and that Ireland’s embassy on the ground will liaise with local authorities and provide consular assistance.”

Twenty Irish citizens are on board the fleet of ships sailing to Gaza with aid, including Sinn Féin senator Chris Andrews. Mr Andrews was among the nine Irish citizens detained after an Israeli interception.

Yolanda Díaz, Spain’s Labour Minister, has accused Israel of a “crime against international law”.

“Israel’s attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla is a crime against international law,” she wrote on Blue Sky.

“We demand that Israel immediately release any detainees. The EU must sever relations with Israel now.”

The UK Foreign Office has said it is “very concerned about the situation with the Sumud Flotilla”.

“We have been in contact with the Israeli authorities to make clear we expect the situation to be resolved safely,” the UK Foreign Office said in a statement on Thursday.

“We are in touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved.”

Over 500 activists and professionals of 44 nationalities are represented on the fleet carrying aid to Gaza.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has criticised Israel’s actions in relation to the Gaza Flotilla calling it “intimidation and coercion”.

“These vessels carried unarmed civilians and life-saving humanitarian supplies for Gaza.”

Brazil demanded Israel “immediately and unconditionally lift all restrictions on the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip”.

Mexico’s foreign ministry has demanded that Israel protect its citizens.

Pakistan called the detention of activists “unlawful”, a “reprehensible act” and part of an “ongoing pattern of aggression by Israel”.

Over 10,000 protesters have gathered in Italy to demonstrate against the interception as the international community censures the action.

Turkey’s foreign minister called the move an “act of terror” while representatives for Irish party Sinn Féin, called it a “kidnapping”.

Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro expelled Israeli diplomats on Wednesday accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “a new international crime”.

Protests are set to take place across the UK with a demonstration to take place at Parliament Square on Thursday.

The Israeli foreign ministry has said passengers of the Global Sumud Flotilla are making their way to Israel where their deportation procedures to Europe will commence.

Israeli forces have stopped 14 boats carrying aid to Gaza, however 23 boats are continuing to sail onwards.

Palestinian politician Hanan Ashrawi has condemned Israel’s interception of Gaza-bound aid vessels, describing it as a “criminal act of piracy” in international waters.

Ashrawi, a former member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s executive committee, praised the flotilla activists as “those brave men and women” for challenging what she called Israel’s genocide and illegal blockade of Gaza.

“They’re putting their lives on the line by actively intervening [and] demonstrating the real meaning of solidarity [and] human empathy,” she added.

Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid into Gaza.

Threatening legal measures to hold Israel accountable, he said: “I urge the immediate release of all Malaysian and international activists and volunteers.”

“This is a humanitarian mission that brings unarmed civilians, along with much-needed aid to the people of Gaza. The government will do its best to free Malaysian citizens in custody,” he wrote on X.

The safety of Malaysian nationals was a priority, he said, adding: “We will not remain silent when their rights and dignity are violated.”

“As long as the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people continue to be denied, Malaysia will remain steadfast and will not back down from continuing to urge and demand that the longstanding injustice and deprivation be stopped,” he said.