Six Australians Detained by Israeli Navy, Intercepts Global Sumud Flotilla in International Waters Near Crete

Sydney - Israeli naval forces intercepted multiple vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters west of the Greek island of Crete on Thursday, detaining at least six Australian citizens among roughly 175 activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, organisers and Australian media reported.

The flotilla, consisting of around 58 boats carrying participants from dozens of countries, set sail from Italian ports earlier in the week with the stated aim of breaking Israel's naval blockade and delivering food, medicine and other supplies to Gaza.

Organisers described the interception, which occurred more than 1,000 kilometres from Gaza, as an "illegal" act of piracy on the high seas.

The six named Australians on board the intercepted vessels are Bianca Webb-Pullman, Ethan Floyd, Zack Schofield, Neve O'Connor, Surya McEwen and Cameron Tribe, according to the Australian delegation of the Global Sumud Flotilla and confirmed by local media reports.

At least two other Australians, Anny Mokotow and Sam Woripa Watson, were reported to have avoided interception and were continuing toward Greek waters.  

Neve O'Connor, one of those detained, posted on Instagram shortly before the interception:

"We are in the sight of a potential warship from an unknown entity. We don't know what's going on. We're completely at a loss, our radios have been jammed, there's drone activity... we're preparing for interception."

Zack Schofield stated in a pre-recorded message:

"We've had drones flying over us all night and there are many reports of warships and tactical RIBs with tactical units on board shining lights and harassing the fleet. We're nowhere close to the claimed territorial waters of Israel... If they are seizing us here on the high seas that is so clearly an act of kidnapping and piracy under international law, the question is will any of our governments take action against them?"

Families of the detained Australians expressed deep concern and called on the federal government to intervene.

Joanne Jaworoski, mother of Zack Schofield, told a press conference in Sydney on Thursday that Zack is their only son.

"He's our only child. He's on the flotilla because he is kind, smart, and caring... I've asked Minister Wong's office, Sharon Claydon's office and  Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to call me and let me know exactly what they're doing and what they have done to secure everyone's safety.

"I haven’t heard back from them yet," she said.

Her husband, Dr Peter Schofield, added that they are concern about the safety of their son.

"We are obviously very concerned about the safety of our son but we remind ourselves that the anxiety and pain that we feel today is but a token relative to the privation, the desperate straits that those Palestinian people are experiencing day by day, month by month, year by year," he said.

Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens, criticised the Albanese government’s response to the broader situation in Gaza.

"The track record of the Albanese government, the Prime Minister and Minister Wong has been woeful... This is a legal, lawful, peaceful, humanitarian mission that they are on. It is Minister Wong's job to protect Australian citizens," Faruqi said.

Simon Jones, head of the Australian delegation, said it is outrageous that Israel has once again illegally taken hostage humanitarian volunteers in international waters.

"We demand that Minister Penny Wong and the Department of Foreign Affairs issue an unequivocal condemnation of Israel's actions as a violation of international law and extend immediate diplomatic protection to all Australian participants," he said.

Israel has previously stated that it enforces its naval blockade of Gaza to prevent weapons and material from reaching Hamas, which it designates as a terrorist organisation.

Israeli officials have described such flotillas as provocative publicity stunts that do not carry significant humanitarian cargo.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry earlier indicated that around 175 participants were detained during the operation.

Organisers reported that some boats were sabotaged during the interception.The Global Sumud Flotilla organisers said the remaining vessels, including those with the two unaffected Australians, would continue sailing.

Snap rallies in solidarity with the detained activists were being organised in Australian cities for Thursday evening and Friday.

The Australian government has in the past warned its citizens against joining such missions, citing safety risks in the region.