Israel navy to release six Australians in Greece after intercepting Gaza flotilla

Six Australians who were detained by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) while attempting to transport aid to Gaza as part of a global flotilla are to be released on a Greek island, Israel’s foreign minister says.

Some 22 vessels were intercepted off the coast of Crete on Wednesday evening while travelling as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which left Italy on Monday. Around 175 activists were taken off the ships by the IDF.

A spokesperson for the flotilla alleged after detaining civilians, the IDF smashed boat engines and jammed communications. The flotilla spokesperson said the detained sailors were to be released on the island of Crete.

More than 40 ships were continuing to attempt to sail to Gaza in the hope of delivering 500 tonnes of aid and volunteers to the strip, which remains under naval blockade by Israel.

Posting to X, Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, said the IDF had “successfully blocked attempts to breach the lawful naval blockade on Gaza and the arrival of vessels from the provocative flotilla”.

“All participants in the provocative flotilla who were taken off the vessels were taken off unharmed,” he wrote.

“In coordination with the Greek government, the individuals transferred from the flotilla vessels to the Israeli vessel will be disembarked on a Greek beach in the coming hours.

“We thank the Greek government for its willingness to receive the flotilla participants.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla say the IDF’s actions were unlawful as the boats were intercepted in international waters hundreds of kilometres from Israel and have accused Israel’s government of “piracy” and “kidnapping”.

Of the 14 Australians participating in the flotilla, just two remain in communication.

Australian citizen and member of Jews Against the Occupation, Anny Mokotow, who is en route to Gaza on board the Bye-Luby, said her boat had to participate in a search and rescue effort to find stranded boats and passengers after the flotilla was intercepted.

“Many boats have been broken, engines destroyed and rigging cut,” she said. “Some like Tam Tam [one of the boats] have passengers. Others are unknown ... Political pressure needs to be put on US, Australia, Greece and the rest of the world.”

The previous Sumud flotilla in October 2025 resulted in seven Australians being detained by IDF.

Among the six Australians who are expected to be released in Crete are Newcastle climate activist Zack Schofield, University of Sydney student and Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa and Wailwan man Ethan Floyd, Neve O’Connor, Dr Bianca Webb-Pullman, Surya McEwen and Cameron Tribe.

The family of Schofield addressed the media on Thursday and appeared at a snap rally demanding the safe passage of the vessels at Sydney Town Hall, expressing their fear for his safety and anger at the lack of Australian government intervention.

His father, Peter Schofield, said he had last spoken to his son at around 6am on Thursday when Zach said the flotilla was “surrounded by boats”.

“Obviously we were very concerned,” he said.

“It’s sometimes been commented that this venture is symbolic, but it’s far more than symbolic.

“Putting one’s life on the line, as indeed is the case with these people … is necessary and these people are making a big sacrifice in an effort to achieve change.”

The foreign minister, Penny Wong, the Israeli foreign ministry and the Israeli embassy were approached for comment. The Times of Israel reported that “security sources” confirmed the Israeli navy began intercepting the flotilla late on Wednesday.