SHOCKING DRAMATIC RAID: Australian Activists Detained on Gaza-Bound Flotilla as Israeli Navy Storms Vessels with Drones, Water Cannons, and Armed Personnel
- Six Australians, including a TikTok star, seized by Israeli authorities after attempting to breach naval blockade
- Heavily armed Israeli soldiers board boats, detain 400 people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg
- Australian government condemned Israel’s “thuggery” and demanded consular access to detained citizens
In a dramatic and tense operation, Israeli naval forces intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla, detaining six Australian activists, including a TikTok star, and sparking a fiery diplomatic row. The incident has drawn international condemnation, with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan slamming Israel’s “thuggery” towards the humanitarian aid convoy.
The Global-Sumud flotilla, comprising over 40 vessels, was intercepted by the Israeli navy on Thursday morning. Footage from the boats showed armed Israeli soldiers, donning helmets and night vision goggles, storming the ships, while passengers huddled together in life vests with their hands up.
Australian officials in Tel Aviv are working closely with Israeli authorities to secure the release of the detained Australians, identified as Surya McEwen, Abubakir Rafiq, Hamish Paterson, Juliet Lamont, Bianca Webb-Pullman, and Dan Coward. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has formally requested confirmation of the detention of any Australians and early consular access.
“We understand that people want to help deliver aid to those suffering in Gaza — we also want to see critical aid delivered,” a DFAT spokesperson said. “We repeat our call on Israel to enable the sustained, unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
Health Minister Mark Butler told Sunrise that the government had put in a formal request to Israeli authorities for information on the exact number of Australians who had been detained. “We have provided clear advice, I have to say, for Australians not to take part in these attempts to break the naval blockade because of obvious safety risks that are involved here.”
The incident has sparked outrage, with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan condemning Israel’s actions, saying it showed Israel’s government has no intention of letting hopes for peace grow. “I condemn the thuggery directed at the global Sumud Flotilla, which set out to draw attention to the barbarity of children dying of hunger in Gaza and to deliver humanitarian aid to the oppressed Palestinians,” he said.
The Australian government is calling on all parties to respect international law, ensuring the safety and humane treatment of those involved. As the situation unfolds, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this volatile standoff.