Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Flotilla, Detains Australians

Six Australians were among 173 international activists released on Crete on Saturday after the Israeli military intercepted a flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza on Wednesday. The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising 22 vessels that departed Italy on Monday, was intercepted off the coast of Greece's Peloponnese peninsula, hundreds of kilometres from Gaza, before three Australians and several others were taken to hospital for injuries sustained during their detention aboard an Israeli naval vessel. The six Australian detainees, including Ethan Floyd, Zack Schofield, Neve O'Connor, Bianca Webb-Pullman, Surya McEwen and Cameron Tribe, alleged they were subjected to violence and mistreatment while held for two days on a retrofitted transport ship that Schofield described as resembling a "prison." Schofield claimed protesters were beaten with rifle butts and batons, and that he witnessed a man shot with a rubber bullet at point-blank range. The Australian trio announced from Sitia hospital that they had launched a hunger strike until the health and whereabouts of two remaining flotilla leaders, Thiago Ávila from Brazil and Saif Abu Keshek from Spain, were confirmed. Israel confirmed both men were brought to Israel for questioning, with authorities linking Keshek to the PCPA, an organization the United States has designated as a Hamas front. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar defended the operation, stating the IDF "successfully blocked attempts to breach the lawful naval blockade" and insisting all participants were "taken off unharmed." Organizers of the flotilla called the seizure "piracy," arguing the interception in international waters far from Gaza was unlawful. Spanish NGO Open Arms rescued 12 activists left adrift after the interception. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs said consular staff were on Crete providing assistance and reiterated Australia's calls for Israel to comply with International Court of Justice orders regarding humanitarian access to Gaza. Supporters in Sydney planned a paddle-out event on Sydney Harbour on Sunday in solidarity with the flotilla.