The Australian government is urgently seeking confirmation of the welfare of 11 Australians detained by Israeli forces after attempting to deliver aid to Gaza as part of a global flotilla. The Global Sumud Flotilla alleged that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) encircled 38 ships from a fleet of 54 that left Turkey last week, about 250 nautical miles from the Gaza coast. The ships carried 319 activists from dozens of nations.
Footage showed Israeli military speedboats approaching and boarding the vessels in broad daylight. The Israeli foreign ministry posted on X that activists from what it called the 'provocation flotilla' had been transferred to Israeli vessels, claiming no aid was found on their boats—a claim disputed by the flotilla. The detained Australians include academics, doctors, students, activists and film-makers.
Four parents and loved ones held a press conference in Melbourne on Tuesday, expressing fear and frustration. Suzie O'Toole said she was 'terrified' for her 23-year-old daughter's wellbeing, while Chris O'Connor accused the federal government of having 'lost its decency' for not intervening. Ethan Floyd, who returned to Australia after being detained by the IDF two weeks ago, said it was not a 'radical act' to deliver food, water and medicine to a 'starving population' in Gaza.
Floyd alleged mistreatment during detention and criticised the government's inaction, stating, 'This is now the second time Israel has illegally abducted Australian citizens in international waters, and our government has said nothing.' In a video distributed as boats were intercepted, documentary film-maker Juliet Lamont said, 'Here we are in international waters, and our governments are completely failing us.'
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) spokesperson said it was 'urgently seeking' confirmation of the Australians' welfare and expected humane treatment in line with international norms. Dfat urged Australians not to join efforts to break the Israeli naval blockade, warning of risks including injury, death, arrest or deportation. The Greens' deputy leader, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, criticised the government's response, saying Israel acts with impunity because countries like Australia refuse to stand up for their citizens.
