In a dramatic turn of events, Israeli troops have boarded an aid ship, the Handala, bound for Gaza, and taken its crew into custody, including two Australians.
The ship was part of the Freedom Flotilla, a group of activists attempting to break Israel’s blockade of the territory.
The move has sparked outrage, with the World Health Organization labelling the situation in Gaza a “man-made crisis” due to widespread starvation among the Palestinian population.
Australians Among Those Detained
Among those on board the ship are two Australians, Tan Safi and Robert Martin, who have called on Australians to put pressure on the federal government to sanction Israel.
In a pre-recorded video statement, Safi said, “I’ve been abducted and taken against my will by the Israeli military, or forces of a country that enables, profits from or protects Israel’s genocide and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.”
“I appeal to everyone to put pressure on the Australian government to sanction Israel, to stop their participation in Israel’s war crimes, and to demand my release as well as the release of everyone aboard the Handala as soon as possible,” Safi added.
International Reactions
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition declared on social media that the ship had been “attacked by the Israeli occupation in international waters”. The group stated that the ship was operating under international law, outside of Israeli jurisdiction, carrying parliamentarians, labour leaders, journalists, lawyers, and organisers.
France Unbowed party leader Jean-Luc Melenchon condemned Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding that the French government take action. “Netanyahu’s thugs boarded Handala. They attack 21 unarmed people in territorial waters where they have no right. A kidnapping in which two French parliamentarians are victims,” he posted on X.
Israeli Authorities’ Response
The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed that the Israeli navy had boarded the ship, releasing a statement saying the Navarn had been stopped from “illegally entering the maritime zone of the coast of Gaza”.
The ministry stated that attempts to breach the blockade were “dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts”.
The crew of the Handala had vowed to go on a hunger strike if they were boarded and detained by Israeli forces.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said the department was aware two Australians were on board the vessel, and Australian officials in Tel Aviv were liaising with Israeli authorities.
Consular officers stand ready to offer assistance to affected Australians, the spokesperson added.