THE brother of a man on board an aid ship which was attacked by Israeli troops in the Mediterranean sea has said he hopes he will return home to Chingford this weekend.

Tauqir Sharif, of Warwick Road, was on board the main Turkish ferry Mavi Marmara at the head of the flotilla when it was stormed early on Monday, in a raid which led to the deaths of nine people.

Mr Sharif's brother, Toseef Sharif, 30, of Prospect Hill in Walthamstow, said his family were hopeful of him returning to Britain this weekend after a hurried phone call earlier today.

He said: "He's in Turkey at the moment and he's hoping to come home in the next few days. The Israelis took everything from him though so he doesn't have any money but he managed to borrow someone's mobile.

"As far as we know he is OK but I think he wouldn't want to tell us if was injured just yet in case it upset our parents.

"He is very upset because he knew a few of the people who were killed."

The raid has been the centre of an international storm, as the UN attempts to investigate the two competing narratives of what actually happened.

Israel says the flotilla of boats ignored warnings to stop and that its troops were attacked with metal poles first before they opened fire.

Those on the boats say it was the troops who fired first, indiscriminately shooting civilians.

Mr Sharif added: “Our family are all very proud of him, we were very worried about him but we knew it was a very good cause.

“Knowing my brother this will only make him more determined to continue protesting against Israeli terrorism. I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to go back on another aid ship again in future.”

Mohammed Abid Mahi, 31, from Walthamstow, was also onboard.

His current status is unknown but he is thought to be alive.