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Seven Australian citizens remain in Israeli detention after authorities intercepted a flotilla attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, prompting Australian consular officials to work around the clock for their release while calling on Israel to uphold international law in their treatment.
Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlethwaite confirmed Tuesday that Australian consular staff have visited the detained nationals and are engaged with Israeli authorities to secure their rapid return to Australia, though he declined to discuss specific details about their treatment or conditions.
“Our consular staff on the ground in Israel are working around the clock to ensure that they’re treated with dignity and respect and, importantly, that they’re released and returned to Australia as quickly as possible,” Thistlethwaite said during an interview Tuesday.
The minister confirmed all seven Australians are currently in detention following the flotilla interception. Australian officials have raised concerns about their treatment with Israeli authorities through diplomatic channels in the Middle East.
“We’ve called on Israel to abide by international law and to treat the detainees humanely,” Thistlethwaite stated when asked about the conditions of detention. He declined to elaborate on whether Israeli authorities have complied with these requests, citing longstanding government policy against commenting on individual consular cases.
The detained Australians were aboard vessels attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza to deliver humanitarian supplies to the besieged Palestinian territory. The flotilla’s mission occurred amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where international aid organizations report severe shortages of food, medicine and other essential supplies.
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Shuria McEwan is among those detained, according to a family member who spoke publicly about their case. The sibling told reporters they have received limited information about McEwan’s status and expressed frustration about the lack of updates from authorities.
Thistlethwaite emphasized that Australian government officials have made their position clear to Israeli counterparts regarding the treatment of the detained citizens. “We’re making sure that we tell the Israeli government and the Israeli policing authorities that these people should be treated with respect and they should uphold international law,” he said.
The minister indicated he has not personally discussed the detentions with Israel’s ambassador to Australia, but confirmed that Australian consular representatives in the Middle East have communicated the government’s concerns directly to Israeli officials.
Australian authorities have consistently warned citizens against traveling to the region given the security risks posed by the ongoing conflict. The government maintains travel advisories cautioning that the area is a war zone where detention remains a significant risk.
“I will say as well, we have been saying to Australia, don’t go to the region. It’s not safe, it’s a war zone and there is a risk of detention,” Thistlethwaite noted. “So we have been warning people not to go.”
The minister acknowledged that despite these warnings, the seven Australians proceeded with their mission and now face the consequences. “Nonetheless, these people have gone and they are now detained,” he said.
The Australian government’s response to the detentions reflects the delicate balance officials must maintain in the Middle East conflict. Australia has supported Israel’s right to defend itself while also expressing concern about civilian casualties in Gaza and calling for adherence to international humanitarian law.
Israel maintains a strict naval blockade around Gaza, which it describes as necessary for security purposes to prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas and other militant groups. International activists and humanitarian organizations have organized multiple flotilla missions over the years attempting to challenge the blockade and deliver aid directly to Gaza’s population.
Previous flotilla attempts have resulted in violent confrontations, most notably a 2010 incident in which Israeli naval commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara vessel, resulting in the deaths of nine Turkish activists. That episode severely damaged Israel’s international standing and strained its relationship with Turkey for years.
The current detentions occur as humanitarian conditions in Gaza have deteriorated sharply following more than two years of intensified conflict that began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. International aid organizations report that Gaza’s healthcare system has collapsed, infrastructure has been devastated, and the civilian population faces acute shortages of basic necessities.
Australian consular staff provide assistance to citizens detained overseas as a standard government service. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains consular posts throughout the Middle East staffed by officials trained to handle complex cases involving Australian nationals.
The government’s policy against commenting on individual consular cases stems from privacy considerations and the concern that public discussion could complicate diplomatic efforts to secure detained citizens’ release. Officials typically provide only general information about their engagement with foreign authorities while working behind the scenes to resolve cases.
Thistlethwaite emphasized that securing the detainees’ safe return remains the government’s primary objective. “We as a government are working through our officials as quickly as possible to ensure that they are treated humanely and that they return to Australia safely,” he said.
The minister’s remarks came on the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks, a day that has refocused international attention on the continuing conflict and its humanitarian toll. The detention of the Australian activists highlights how the conflict continues affecting people far beyond the immediate region.
Family members of the detained Australians have expressed frustration about the limited information they have received regarding their loved ones’ status and well-being. The lack of transparency has added to their anxiety as they await news about potential release dates or legal proceedings.
The Australian government has not indicated what charges, if any, Israeli authorities may pursue against the detained individuals. Under Israeli law, attempting to breach the Gaza blockade can result in criminal charges and imprisonment.
International law regarding maritime blockades remains contested, with Israel maintaining its blockade is legal under international law as a measure of self-defense, while critics argue it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population and violates humanitarian law principles.
The seven Australians join numerous other international activists who have been detained by Israeli authorities while attempting to challenge the Gaza blockade over the years. The legal status of blockade enforcement and the rights of those attempting humanitarian missions continue generating debate among international law experts and human rights organizations.
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