Major update on the six Aussies detained by the Israel Defence Force while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza

By NICK WILSON AND LLOYD JONES FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 10:17, 2 May 2026 | Updated: 10:18, 2 May 2026 Six Australians detained by the Israeli military while attempting to transport aid to Gaza have been released in Crete after days at sea.  The activists were among more than 700 people involved in a second Global Sumud Flotilla, attempting to break an Israeli naval blockade. They were released on Crete after being intercepted off the coast of the Greek island by the Israel Defence Forces on Wednesday. Organisers of the flotilla said three Australians, Ethan Floyd, Zack Schofield and Neve O'Connor, were taken to hospital for injuries after being released.  They say they were subjected to violence and mistreated on board the Israeli vessel.  'We three are all physically OK as you can be after that experience,' the trio said in a video message from Sitia hospital in Crete. All 173 international activists were released except for two leaders of the flotilla, Thiago Ávila from Brazil, and Saif Abu Keshek from Spain, organisers said. Mr Floyd, Mr Schofield and Ms O'Connor said they would hunger strike until the health and whereabouts of the remaining detainees were confirmed.  Six Australians (three of whom are pictured: Zack Schofield, Ethan Floyd, and Jayden Kitchener-Waters) were detained by the Israeli forces while attempting to transport aid to Gaza The activists were among more than 700 people involved in a second Global Sumud Flotilla (one vessel is pictured) which had been trying to break an Israeli naval blockade Footage of the flotilla being stopped was published on social media Israel's foreign affairs minister Gideon Sa'ar confirmed the vessels had been intercepted but insisted participants were unharmed.  The vessels were seized in international waters off Greece's Peloponnese peninsula, hundreds of kilometres from Gaza, organisers said.  Surya McEwen, Cameron Tribe and Bianca Webb-Pullman round out the six Australian detainees, among 17 known to have been participating in the flotilla. Organisers claim the IDF's actions were unlawful as they occurred in international waters far from Gaza.  'This is piracy,' the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement. Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two remaining detainees had been brought to Israel for questioning.  'Saif Abu Keshek, suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation, and Thiago Ávila, suspected of illegal activity, will be brought to Israel for questioning,' it said on X.  'We demand that all governments do all they can to pressure the Israeli regime to release all the illegal abductees,' the Global Sumud Flotilla said. Newcastle-based climate activist Zack Schofield (pictured) was one of the flotilla members All 173 international activists were released except for two leaders of the flotilla, Thiago Ávila from Brazil, and Saif Abu Keshek from Spain, organisers said Seven Australians were detained by the IDF during the previous Sumud flotilla in October. Israel controls access to the Gaza Strip, and denies withholding supplies for the region's two million residents. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said consular officials in Crete were providing assistance to Australians there as part of the flotilla.  'We understand people want to respond to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but we continue to urge Australians not to join others seeking to break the Israeli naval blockade as they will be putting themselves and others at risk of injury, death, arrest or deportation,' it said in a statement. 'We encourage those wishing to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza to do so through established channels.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.