Israeli Captured Australians Freed, Allege Beatings and Mistreatment

Sydney - Six Australian humanitarian volunteers who were intercepted and detained by Israeli forces in international waters west of Crete have been released and returned to Greek soil, sparking fresh allegations of violence, beatings and sensory deprivation during their custody.

The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a multinational effort aimed at delivering life-saving aid to Gaza in defiance of what organisers describe as Israel's illegal naval blockade.

The incident has drawn international attention and criticism, with calls for the Australian government to condemn the actions and support humanitarian efforts in the besieged territory.

Details from the Global Sumud Flotilla Australian Delegation and Rising Tide say the six Australians, Ethan Floyd, Zack Schofield, Neve O'Connor, Cameron Tribe, Dr Bianca Webb-Pullman and Surya McEwen, were captured by Israeli Defence Forces at approximately 10 a.m. AEST on Thursday, April 30.

They were held for more than 30 hours before being released in Crete late on Friday, May 1.

Three of the Australians, Ethan Floyd, Zack Schofield and Neve O'Connor, were taken to Sitia General Hospital in Crete for treatment of injuries including concussion, bruising and cuts.

The others were released unharmed. Approximately 30 of the 173 other global volunteers also sought medical attention at the same facility.

"We were transferred to another Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) and taken to a very large Israeli warship.

"From there we were held again in stress positions for 45 minutes to an hour, made to crawl along the floor before being thrown into an enclosure constructed from shipping containers," Ethan Floyd, a Sydney student and Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa and Wailwan man, recounted.

"I witnessed people being shot with rubber pellets. I witnessed people being thrown to the ground, dragged along the ground by their limbs, people being forced to listen to the shouts and screams of people who were being beaten," he said.

Floyd also criticised the lack of consular support, stating they were driven for hours across Crete with promises of embassy officials that never materialised.

Zack Schofield, a climate activist from Newcastle, expressed surprise at the scale of the Israeli operation so far from Gaza.

"We were surprised that they had gone 600 nautical miles away from Israel, with warships, a prison ship and special operations forces there to seize our boats, to kidnap us, to brutalise us and take us on board a prison ship with absolutely no charges being laid on us," Schofield said.

He described being forced to sleep outside on deck, which was flooded with seawater at night to prevent rest.

Schofield and others have initiated a hunger strike in solidarity with Palestinians and until more is known about two missing flotilla leaders.

"The Australian Government has failed to stand up to Israel, despite the fact that Israel constantly violates every single international law that our nation claims to support, and has now just kidnapped six Australian citizens and tortured us because we are trying to get food to the people of Gaza," he added.

Neve O'Connor from Melbourne detailed the initial interception.

 "We were 600 nautical miles from Israel, and being intercepted was not even on our minds. We saw flares go up... They threatened to shoot us if we didn't move, and if we didn't comply, they said they would open fire. It was constant brutality and oppression," she said.

Of significant concern, two leaders of the Global Sumud Flotilla, Thiago Ávila from Brazil and Saif Abu Keshek from Spain, remain unaccounted for, with reports indicating they may have been taken to Israel for further questioning.

Israeli authorities have described the flotilla as a "PR stunt" and confirmed the release of most detainees in coordination with Greek officials.

Senator Larissa Waters, Leader of the Australian Greens, condemned the incident as a breach of international law.

"This is yet another shocking breach of international law by Israel.

"In attempt to prolong its genocide in Gaza, Israel has seemingly kidnapped Australian citizens in international waters," she said.

Families of the released Australians have voiced relief mixed with anger at the lack of stronger government response.

Joanne Jarowski, mother of Zack Schofield, highlighted the humanitarian imperative.

"This is not a crime: in fact, International Humanitarian Law mandates rapid, safe and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians. The real crime is keeping aid from civilians who are sick and starving to death," she said.

Juliet Lamont, Head of the Australian Delegation, called for continued pressure.

"We are relieved our people are free. But let's be clear about what happened, Israel abducted unarmed humanitarian volunteers to stop aid reaching the people of Gaza.

Children in Gaza are still starving. Aid is still being blocked," Lamont said.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has confirmed consular officials are in Crete providing assistance.

The government has previously advised against participation in such flotillas.

Organisers have called for a day of action on Monday, May 4, demanding Australia publicly condemn the detention, end complicity in the Gaza crisis and push for the release of the remaining leaders.