Irish-Malaysian vessel the MV Rachel Corrie has been escorted into the Israeli port of Ashdod after being seized by troops close to the Gaza shore this morning.
The passengers aboard the humanitarian ship, which was intercepted by Israeli troops 25 miles outside Gaza, have been taken to Holon detention centre according to the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Former UN assistant secretary general Denis Halliday and Nobel peace laureate Mairéad Maguire were among the Irish citizens on board the 1,200-tonne ship, which was shadowed by Israeli ships since dawn.
The crew had rejected a deal to unload its cargo in Israel and accompany it across the border.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay today said Israel's blockade of Gaza was illegal and should be lifted, reiterating calls for an investigation into Israel's raid on aid supply ships this week.
"International humanitarian law prohibits starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and...it is also prohibited to impose collective punishment on civilians," Ms Pillay said.
"I have consistently reported to member states that the blockade is illegal and must be lifted."
She said that even if the blockade were proven legal under international law, Israel's military operation against the flotilla on Monday had to be analysed alongside its obligation to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Earlier this morning, activists aboard the vessel said its equipment on board had been jammed, blaming the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).
In a statement issued by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Jenny Graham, who is on board, said the ship would have no part in a deal that involved legitimising the siege of Gaza.
"We intend to continue on our mission to deliver our cargo of aid and supplies to the people of Gaza. This has always been our intention," she added.
A demonstration took place in Dublin city centre today at which some of those involved in the flotilla spoke. The protesters marched from the Garden of Remembrance where there was a symbolic wreath laying by Turan Centiner, Turkish consul to Ireland to the Department of Foreign affairs.