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

The activists’ vessels were intercepted off the coast of Crete on Wednesday evening while travelling as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Six Australians who were detained by the Israel Defense 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. Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) are in Crete to provide consular assistance to Australians transferred there as part of the flotilla, a Dfat spokesperson confirmed. Twenty-two 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. About 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