A pre-recorded video by the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was onboard the Gaza aid flotilla intercepted by Israel has been published following her detention by the IDF.

“If you are watching this video, I have been abducted and taken against my will by Israeli forces,” she said in the video.

“Our humanitarian mission was nonviolent and abiding by international law,” she continues.

“Please tell my government to demand my and the others’ immediate release.”

Vessels sailing as part of an international flotilla were intercepted by the Israeli Defence Forces on Wednesday evening as they were attempting to sail towards Gaza and deliver aid, activists said.

At least 500 participants, including Australians, set sail with the goal of delivering food, water and medicine to the people of Gaza, as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) according to the organisers. Israel has made it clear that it does not want this to happen.

The GSF labelled the interception “an illegal attack” on humanitarians, while Israel said the activists onboard were “not interested in aid, but in provocation.”

At least six Australian activists are among the hundreds detained by the Israeli navy after the Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted on its approach to Gaza.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was “liaising with Israeli authorities and stand ready to provide consular assistance to any affected Australians”.”

Australia calls on all parties to respect international law, to ensure the safety and humane treatment of those involved,” a DFAT spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday.

“We understand that people want to help deliver aid to those suffering in Gaza – we also want to see critical aid delivered.

“For some time, we have warned against attempts to breach the naval blockade and strongly advised Australians not to do so because of the risks to their safety.

“We repeat our call on Israel to enable the sustained, unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”

This flotilla was the largest yet to try and break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. The activists said they believed that with the sheer number of boats, it would be more difficult for Israeli authorities to intercept them all.