Esmé Nickerson, from Lowestoft, was one of 14 people from the UK who had departed from Turkey as they headed for Gaza on the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Esmé Nickerson, from Lowestoft, was one of 14 UK residents and more than 400 people detained in international waters. Image: Global Sumud UK (Image: Global Sumud UK)

Ms Nickerson - who jointly runs a popular coffee shop in Kirkley, Lowestoft with her mother - was on one of around 50 vessels that were attempting to deliver aid to Gaza and challenge the long-standing naval blockade.

Israel has maintained a sea blockade of Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007.

The UK delegation of the flotilla said they hoped to break Israel's blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian assistance, which aid groups warn is in short supply despite the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which began in October 2025.

Organisers said it was "a peaceful, non-violent response to the illegal Israeli siege on Gaza", as they transported life-saving aid including food, medicine and children’s toys.

Esmé Nickerson, from Lowestoft, was one of 14 people from the UK who was detained in international waters. Image: UK Global Sumud (Image: UK Global Sumud)

As she embarked on the mission, Ms Nickerson said she was sailing with the Global Sumud Flotilla "to break Israel's continuous illegal, immoral siege on Gaza, deliver life-saving humanitarian aid, and establish a sustained civilian presence to assist in rebuilding."

She added: "We are a global, non-violent, civilian-led humanitarian mission, sailing from ports across the world........

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