Australian Detainees Launch Hunger Strike Following Israeli Navy's Interception of Gaza Aid Vessel

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Two Australians detained by Israeli naval officers are on a hunger strike in solidarity with the people in Gaza, calling for an end to the aid blockade.

Australian journalist Tan Safi and activist Robert Martin were with 19 others on board the vessel, dubbed Handala, attempting to break Israel and Egypt’s blockade and deliver aid to Gaza.

The pro-Palestinian group was intercepted roughly 57 nautical miles from Gaza, according to the organisers Freedom Flotilla Coalition, with a livestream of the boat showing the activists holding up their hands as armed soldiers boarded the vessel, before the feed was cut.

SBS News has not been able to independently verify the vessel’s location at the interception point.

James Godfrey, a spokesperson for Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Free Gaza Australia, said they’ve made contact with Safi and Martin via lawyers from Adalah, a legal support organisation in Israel.

A boat with colourful drawings and signs sets sail with people waving from a distance.

The vessel called Handala departed from Italy one week ago, aiming to reach Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid and break the Israeli blockade. Source: Getty / Anadolu

“They’ve been in touch with nearly everybody who was kidnapped on board Handala, including Robert and Tan,” Godfrey told SBS News.

Detainees were reportedly told to either accept “voluntary deportation” or remain detained and appear before a tribunal, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

“We’re anticipating that they will be taken to some kind of Israeli court or tribunal today, our time,” he said.

“They’re currently both on hunger strike in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza who are being starved by the Israeli government with the support of the Australian government.”

Israel’s government denies it imposes a policy of starvation in Gaza, with its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying: “There is no starvation in Gaza”.

Following international pressure, Israel resumed airdropping aid to Gaza on Sunday, with the Israeli military announcing it would establish designated corridors to enable the movement of United Nations convoys to deliver aid.

A group of people on a boat wearing life jackets sit with their hands up and surrounded by armed officials.

Two Australians were on board the boat, Handala, when it was intercepted by the Israeli navy. Credit: Supplied

Three people on board the Handala, from Italy, France and the United States, have been reportedly deported, and a further two interrogated and released.

Godfrey urged Israel to act in accordance with the International Court of Justice’s ruling on aid and that it should be, “unhindered in being delivered to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and they need to step up and do the work and deliver aid”.

“But as long as they keep failing, we’ll have to keep sailing,” he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the two Australians were on the boat and were ready to assist, where possible.

“Our officials in Tel Aviv are liaising with authorities, and consular officers stand ready to offer assistance to affected Australians,” a spokesperson said on Sunday.

‘We count on you’: Australians call on the government to intervene

In a letter, obtained by their lawyers, Safi and Martin have called on the government, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, to intervene on their matter.

“We demand you ensure our safe, immediate release from those same forces who have abducted us, and illegally intercepted our non-violent action to bring baby formula to starving Palestinian babies,” they wrote.

In the letter, Safi and Martin said Australia should stop trade with Israel, stop sending weapons components and “stop protecting Israel from any accountability or consequence”.

“We count on you to do better — now,” they wrote.

On Sunday, Albanese said international law stated innocent people should not be held responsible for the actions of the Hamas, which in its entirety is listed as a terrorist organisation by the European Union and seven other countries, including Australia.

“I’m a supporter of Israel and Israel’s right to defend itself, but that boy isn’t challenging Israel’s right to existence, and nor are the many who continue to suffer from the unavailability of food and water,” the prime minister said.