Australia’s health minister said on Friday that the federal government is working to support citizens detained by Israel after attempting to deliver aid to Gaza by sea.
Mark Butler told Seven Network television on Friday morning that the government has put in a formal request for information on how many Australians were detained on the humanitarian flotilla that was intercepted by the Israeli navy while attempting to break the blockade of Gaza.
Organizers of the flotilla on Thursday said that five Australians had been detained.
Butler said that Australia has asked Israel for clear information about the detainees and for consular access to them.
“Australians want to see aid flow, particularly basic aid like food and medicines to civilians in Gaza, but for those who are detained, of course, we will be providing consular support to them,” Butler said.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement on Friday morning calling on all parties to respect international law to ensure the safety and humane treatment of those involved in the flotilla.
It repeated Australia’s call for Israel to enable the sustained and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
