Israel-Gaza conflict: Aussies on board aid boat ‘violently intercepted’ by Israel forces
Two Australians are among a group of activists detained by Israel after their aid boat was intercepted on the way to Gaza.
Two Australians are among a group of activists on board an aid vessel headed to Gaza “violently intercepted” by Israel.
Israeli forces brought the pro-Palestinian activist boat Handala into the port of Ashdod after seizing the vessel in international waters and detaining the crew, an AFP journalist saw.
Campaigners from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition had attempted to breach an Israeli naval blockade of the Palestinian territory of Gaza, but were intercepted on the weekend.
The legal rights centre Adalah told AFP its lawyers were in Ashdod and had been allowed to speak to 19 members of the 21-strong international crew, which included two Australian pro-Palestinian activists, two French parliamentarians and two Al Jazeera journalists.
A message from 'Handala' crew members Tan (Tania) Safi and Robert Martin. pic.twitter.com/ofyoJxURJK
— Free Gaza Australia (@GFFAusGroup) July 27, 2025
Australians Tania “Tan” Safi and Robert Martin, are among a crew of 19 “international human rights defenders” who set sail on the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s boat Handala a week ago in what the group said was a “bold mission to challenge Israel’s illegal and inhumane blockade of the Palestinian people in Gaza”.
“These participants join the Handala with a clear message: solidarity is not symbolic. It is physical, moral, and political action against apartheid, genocide, and occupation,” the Coalition said in a statement.
“After 12 hours at sea, following the unlawful interception of the Handala, Israeli authorities confirmed the vessel’s arrival at Ashdod port,” said the group, to campaign for the rights of Israel’s Arab population.
“Adalah reiterates that the activists aboard the Handala were part of a peaceful civilian mission to break through Israel’s illegal blockade on Gaza. The vessel was intercepted in international waters and their detention constitutes a clear violation of international law.”
The group claimed it had been “violently intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters about forty nautical miles from Gaza.
“At 23.43 EEST Palestine time the Occupation cut the cameras on board Handala and we have lost all communication with our ship,” the statement said.
“The unarmed boat was carrying lifesaving supplies when it was boarded by Israeli forces, its passengers abducted, and its cargo seized. The interception occurred in international waters outside Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, in violation of international maritime law.”
Israeli forces confirmed they had brought the Handala into the port of Ashdod on Sunday.
“The vessel is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. All passengers are safe,” it said.
Just before midnight local time on Saturday, video streamed live from the Handala showed Israeli troops boarding the vessel. An online tracker showed the ship in international waters west of Gaza.
The Handala’s crew had said before their capture in a post on X that they would go on a hunger strike if the Israeli army intercepted the boat and detained its passengers.
A previous boat sent by Freedom Flotilla, the Madleen, was also intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters on June 9 and towed to Ashdod.
It carried 12 campaigners, including prominent Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The activists were eventually expelled by Israel.
The legal rights centre Adalah told media its lawyers were in Ashdod and had demanded to speak to the 21-strong international crew.
“Despite repeated demands, Israeli authorities have refused to allow Adalah’s lawyers access to the detained activists to provide legal consultation,” it continued.
“Adalah reiterates that the activists aboard the Handala were part of a peaceful civilian mission to break through Israel’s illegal blockade on Gaza. The vessel was intercepted in international waters and their detention constitutes a clear violation of international law.”
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the two Australians’ involvement.
“DFAT is aware two Australians were on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition vessel Handala, along with 19 others,” a DFAT spokesperson said.
“Our officials in Tel Aviv are liaising with authorities, and consular officers stand ready to offer assistance to affected Australians.”
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NETANYAHU SAYS AID ROUTES OPEN
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the United Nations to stop blaming his government for the humanitarian situation in Gaza after the military opened up secure aid routes.
“There are secure routes. There have always been, but today it’s official. There will be no more excuses,” the Israeli leader said during a visit to an air base.
FOOD AIR-DROPPED INTO GAZA, ISRAEL ‘OPENING AID ROUTES’
Jordanian and Emirati planes have dropped food into Gaza, as Israel began a limited “tactical pause” in military operations to allow the UN and aid agencies to tackle a deepening hunger crisis.
The Israeli military said it had also begun air-dropping food into the Palestinian territory – making one drop of seven palettes – while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected what he characterised as UN “lies” that his government was to blame for the dire humanitarian situation.
The army also dismissed allegations that it had been using starvation as a weapon, saying it had co-ordinated with the UN and international agencies to “increase the scale of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip”.
UN emergency relief co-ordinator Tom Fletcher welcomed the tactical pauses, saying he was in “contact with our teams on the ground who will do all we can to reach as many starving people as we can in this window”.
But the UN’s World Food Programme said a third of the population of Gaza had not eaten for days, and 470,000 people were “enduring famine-like conditions” that were already leading to deaths.
The Israeli decision came as international pressure mounted on Mr Netanyahu’s government to head off the risk of mass starvation in the territory.
In Gaza City’s Tel al-Hawa district, 30-year-old Suad Ishtaywi said her “life’s wish” was to simply feed her children. She spoke of her husband returning empty-handed from aid points daily.
Chaotic scenes broke out at the site where Israel conducted its first food drop, witnesses told AFP.
Samih Humeid, a 23-year-old from the Al-Karama neighbourhood of Gaza City, said dozens of people had gathered to rush towards the palettes of supplies parachuted onto the area.
PM ACCUSES ISRAEL OF BREACHING INTERNATIONAL LAW
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accused Israel of breaching international law, but says the government will not recognise a Palestinian state “imminently”.
Mr Albanese suggested there needed to be a “structure” for a Palestinian state before Australia could recognise one.
“What we will do is we’ll make a decision based upon the time,” he told the ABC.
“Is the time right now? Are we about to imminently do that? No, we are not.”
The PM said Australia “will always make our decisions as a sovereign state”.
“But the role of the United States is critical. And the United States was playing a role in negotiating with the Saudis and Jordan and states in the region about how you move the Middle East conflict forward.”
Mr Albanese said that “quite clearly, it is a breach of international law to stop food being delivered, which was a decision that Israel made in March”.
UK PARTY THREATENS TO ‘FORCE VOTE’ ON PALESTINIAN STATE
The Scottish National Party threatened to bring forward legislation on recognising Palestinian statehood and “force a vote” if British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer continues to oppose the move.
The SNP, which pushes for the independence of Scotland, said it would table a “Palestine Recognition Bill” when parliament returns after its summer recess if Starmer did not change his position.
Sir Keir has committed to recognising Palestinian statehood but said it must be part of a peace process in the Middle East.
The SNP threat comes after more than 220 British MPs, including dozens from Sir Keir’s ruling Labour Party, has demanded that the UK government follow France and recognise a Palestinian state.
- with AFP
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Originally published as Israel-Gaza conflict: Aussies on board aid boat ‘violently intercepted’ by Israel forces