THE captain of the Irish ship involved in the attempt to sail an international aid flotilla to Gaza has spoken of how he feared for his life when heavily armed Israeli soldiers took over the vessel.

ANXIOUS peace activists aboard an Irish-owned ship bound for Gaza have vowed not to give up their humanitarian aid cargo to Israel but have said they are prepared to surrender peacefully if Israeli commandos decide to board their boat.

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Micheál Martin has accused Israel of kidnapping up to eight Irish citizens and breaking international law by refusing diplomats access to them.

Eight Irish people were travelling on a flotilla of aid ships where 15 people were reportedly shot dead today by Israeli commandos.