Government ‘urgently seeking’ status of 11 Australian Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel
Global Sumud Flotilla organisers say 38 ships holding 319 activists were about 250 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza when they were intercepted
TL;DR
- Eleven Australians on a Gaza aid flotilla have been detained by Israeli forces in international waters.
- The flotilla, comprising 54 boats with 319 activists, was intercepted approximately 250 nautical miles from Gaza.
- The Israeli foreign ministry claims no aid was found on the boats, a statement disputed by flotilla organizers.
- The Australian government is urgently seeking confirmation of the detainees' welfare and stating expectations for humane treatment.
- Previous incidents of Australian activists being detained and allegedly mistreated have occurred.
- Several Australian politicians and families of those detained have criticized the government's response.
- Italy, Indonesia, and Spain have called for the release of the detained activists, with Spain condemning the actions as a violation of international law.