Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gather at Glasgow and Edinburgh train stations

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered at major train stations across Scotland during rush hour.

The protests on Thursday evening were in response to Israel detaining activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid towards Gaza.

Four Scots were among those detained after Israeli forces intercepted flotilla on Wednesday.

Ahead of the protests, British Transport Police announced it would be stepping up patrols at key stations across the network and working closely with rail industry partners including Network Rail to try and keep disruption to a minimum.

Hundreds of people gathered at Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley on Thursday evening. STV News

Glasgow man Sid Khan was one of the volunteers aboard the flotilla, alongside of Yvonne Ridley, Jim Hickey and Margaret Pancetta.

“Four Scots, including one of my constituents, were kidnapped by the Israeli military last night,” Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer said.

“They were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla – dozens of ships and hundreds of ordinary people doing what the world’s Governments have refused to do; trying to break the siege of Gaza and deliver life-saving food and medical supplies to starving Palestinians.”

He said the ships were “attacked by drones, had chemical dropped on them, and were attacked by the Israeli navy”.

Greer asked: “Will the First Minister demand the immediate release of the four kidnapped Scots?”

Swinney assured MSPs that his Government is doing all it can to help.

He said the UK Foreign Office has informed him that it is lobbying the Israeli Government to “respect law” and protect everyone’s safety.

A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: “We’re aware of a small number of protests currently taking place at stations across the network including Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central.

Officers will remain highly visible throughout the evening working to keep the railway moving, and we reiterate our warning to protestors not to go on the tracks.”

Assistant chief constable Sean O’Callaghan said: “This is a direct appeal to anyone considering protesting on the railway network this evening – I urge you to think again.

“The railway is an incredibly dangerous environment and stepping onto railway tracks could very easily result in serious injury or death.

“Everyone has the right to protest, but anyone wishing to do so should not be thinking about putting their lives, or anyone else’s, at risk by doing so on the tracks.

“I’d like to also take this opportunity to remind protestors that trespassing is a criminal offence, and anyone responsible for unlawfully disrupting the network can expect to be arrested for obstructing the railway, a very serious offence which could lead to imprisonment.”

Network Rail has been contacted for comment.