Extract from ABC News
In short:
The Global Sumud Flotilla has been intercepted by the Israeli Defense Forces off the coast of Crete.
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations described the flotilla, which was headed to Gaza, as "provocative".
What's next?
Israel's foreign minister says the detained crew members will be taken to Greece, not Israel.
The Global Sumud Flotilla has been intercepted on its way to Gaza by the Israeli Defense Forces.
"In a violent raid in international waters, Israeli naval forces have intercepted, boarded, and systematically disabled various boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla," a social media post by the organisation said.
Earlier on Thursday morning, the organisation reported on Telegram the boats were "approached by military speedboats, self-identified as 'israel', pointing lasers and semi-automatic weapons".
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, also confirmed the interception.
"Another provocative flotilla was stopped before reaching our area," Mr Danon wrote on X.
The flotilla is off the coast of Greece, near Crete, according to live tracking on the organisation's website.
Israeli's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar later tweeted that the crew members were being taken to Greece "in coordination with the Greek government".
"We call on anyone who is not interested in provocations but rather in humanitarian aid to Gaza to do so through the [Board of Peace], which also issued a statement on the matter today," he wrote.
The flotilla made up of more than 50 boats set sail in recent weeks from Marseille in France, Barcelona in Spain and Syracuse in Italy.
Jane Salmon, the flotilla's Australian delegation media liaison, said 14 Australians had set sail from Italy and that six were aboard intercepted vessels.
She said 21 boats had been intercepted.
"Surya McEwen, Dr Bianca Pullman Webb, Ethan Floyd, Neve O'Connor and Zack Schofield were on boats that were intercepted," Ms Salmon told ABC News.
Cameron Tribe was also on one of the boats that was intercepted, she said.
The ABC asked the IDF for details of the operation, but it did not provide a specific response.
"The IDF enforces the marine security blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a range of scenarios, which it will carry out in accordance with the directions of the political echelon," a spokesperson said.
The IDF directed all requests for further information to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
DFAT says aid 'limited' due to Iran war
Greens leader Larissa Waters called the incident "yet another shocking breach of international law by Israel".
"Foreign Minister Penny Wong must back the brave flotilla crew and fight for their release," she said on social media.
A spokesperson for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Australian diplomats were ready to provide consular assistance to the Australians detained, but noted the "ability to provide support in Israel and Palestine is limited at this time due to the conflict in the Middle East".
Australia, like many other nations, evacuated some non-essential staff from its missions in places such as Israel amid the US and Israel's war with Iran.
"We continue to urge Australians not to join others seeking to break the Israeli naval blockade, as they are putting themselves and others at risk of injury, death, arrest or deportation," the spokesperson said.
"We encourage those wishing to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza to do so through established channels.
"Australia has been part of the international call on Israel to comply with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice, including to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale.
"With a ceasefire in Gaza in place, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian aid must flow to those in desperate need."
After previous flotilla missions were intercepted, Australian consular staff were dispatched to Israel's Ketziot prison, near the Egypt border, where crew members were taken.
They documented allegations of serious mistreatment by Israeli authorities while there.
The Australian government is seeking an update from Israeli authorities on the status of the Australians involved in the latest intercept.
Israel's foreign ministry has tried to discredit the flotilla by questioning its intentions.
On social media, it has released video it says shows drugs and condoms on board one of the ships.
The ABC has not been able to independently verify the footage.
Israeli Army Radio reported this was the furthest interception from Israeli shores the navy had carried out in its operations to stop aid flotillas.
It is the third time the navy has intervened.
"This time we decided to surprise them at a great distance, due to the size of the flotilla," an Israeli source told the outlet.
Israel has imposed a maritime blockade on Gaza since 2009.
One UN inquiry found it was unlawful, while another found it was lawful.
In October last year, the organisation's flotilla, which included Greta Thunberg, was intercepted by the Israeli military near the besieged Palestinian territory.
The fleet consisted of 50 small vessels carrying about 500 activists from dozens of countries.
They were attempting to deliver a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid, mainly food and medicine.
The crew members were arrested and expelled by Israel.
Israel has previously said the maritime blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms.
ABC/wires
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