Two Australians among civilians on Gaza-bound aid ship Handala intercepted by Israel

7NEWS

a day ago

Two Australians were among a group of civilisations detained by Israeli forces after the vessel they were travelling on, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, was intercepted.
The Handala, operated by members of the Pro-Palestine group, was intercepted by Israel in international waters about forty nautical miles from Gaza on Saturday night.
Of the 21 civilians on board were Australians Robert Martin, a human rights activist, and journalist Tania 'Tan' Safi.
In a video posted to social media before the vessel was intercepted, Martin said the boat was too close to Gaza for the Israeli military to allow it to continue any further.
'We've also heard through Al Jazeera and a few other news agencies that they've actually been told that if we do not stop and go back they will have to act and deal with us,' he said.
'We're not sure what that means. But to the world if something happens, we were trying to shine the light on what's going on in Palestine and particularly Gaza. If something happens, it shows what Israel's all about.'
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told 7NEWS.com.au it was aware of two Australians on board the intercepted ship.
'Our officials in Tel Aviv are liaising with authorities, and consular officers stand ready to offer assistance to affected Australians,' a spokesperson said.
According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) Israel intercepted the boat in international waters outside Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, a violation of international maritime law.
It said those on board were 'abducted' and its cargo was seized.
The ship was carrying aid such as baby formula, diapers, food and medicine for Palestinians in Gaza who have been unable to access supplies due to Israel's blockade.
Ann Wright, a member of FFC's steering committee, said Israel had no authority to detain international civilians on the boat.
'This is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction,' she said.
'These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.'
A YouTube livestream on board the ship showed armed personnel boarding the vessel, while the activists on the deck, all wearing life jackets, held their hands in the air in surrender.
One of the helmeted personnel appears to manipulate the camera streaming on the deck, turning it around.
The stream ended soon after that.
Israel's foreign ministry confirmed in a statement on X that the 'Israeli navy has stopped the vessel Navarn from illegally entering the maritime zone of the coast of Gaza,' using the Handala's original name.
'The vessel is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. All passengers are safe,' the statement continued.
'Unauthorised attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.'
The Handala, named for a famous Palestinian cartoon character, is part of the FFC, which has attempted numerous times to break Israel's blockade on Gaza via sea and deliver aid to Palestinians there.
Last month, another FFC Gaza-bound aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg was intercepted by Israeli forces.