Two Scots detained by Israeli authorities to return home within 'next few days'

Two Scots, who were detained after a flotilla seeking to challenge the blockade of Gaza was intercepted, are set to return home within the next few days, STV News understands.

Dozens of vessels forming the Global Sumud Flotilla departed from the port of Marmaris, Turkey, last week in what organisers described as the final leg of its journey to Gaza’s shores.

Some 41 boats were intercepted on Monday, with another ten continuing to sail before a second interception, according to the online tracker.

Two men from Scotland were among those detained.

Hughie Stirling, from Ullapool. was on board the Ajjur (Blue Toys) vessel, which was stopped before reaching Gaza.

Dr Antonis Vradis, who works at St Andrews University, was on board the Qannir (La Cirena) vessel when it was captured.

The organisers of the flotilla has told STV News that all the participants have been released by Israeli forces and are travelling to Turkey.

It is expected all of those involved will return to their home countries within the next few days.

A video of those detained has been posted on X by Israel’s minister of national security Ben-Gvir.

In the footage, one detainee’s head is pushed to the ground, and many are placed into stress positions.

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper described the footage as violating “most basic standards of respect and dignity in the way people should be treated.”

The MP added: “We are in touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved to provide them with consular support.

“We have demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities and made clear their obligations to protect the rights of our citizens and all those involved.”

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the treatment of the activists does not match the country’s “values or norms”.

He wrote: “Israel has every right to prevent provocative flotillas of Hamas terrorist supporters from entering our territorial waters and reaching Gaza.

“However, the way that Minister Ben Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms. I have instructed the relevant authorities to deport the provocateurs as soon as possible.”