Aussie trio set to sail to Gaza despite government warning

Australians Surya McEwen, Helen O'Sullivan and Daniel Coward are in Turkiye waiting to board one of three ships bound to deliver 5,500 tonnes of aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

The mission is organised by Freedom Flotillas Coalition (FFC) who say their aim is to "challenge the ongoing illegal Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip".

A naval blockade has been in place by the Israeli government since 2007.

"I want to take food to people who are being starved deliberately," NSW's Mr McEwen said in a Facebook video post.

"I want to take medicine to people who are hurting or sick from curable diseases."

The three Australians say they are joining hundreds of "international rights observers" from 35 countries.

Spokesperson for Free Gaza Australia and member of the FCC steering committee James Godfrey has been involved in organising the mission.

"Our aim is to draw attention to the genocide which Israel is carrying out on Palestinian people in Gaza," Mr Godfrey said.

"Our aim is to draw attention to the Australian government and institutions and corporations in Australia and their complicity in these violations of international law."

Israel denies the genocide allegations brought against it in the UN's top court, asserting its right to self-defense against Hamas, which abducted about 250 hostages to Gaza in October 2023.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is yet to reach a verdict on whether Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and the legal process may span several years.

While the date of departure remains unannounced, the flotilla was expected to depart very soon.

Final numbers and names of all participants in the flotilla have not yet been made publicly available.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) responded to the planned flotilla urging Australians "not to try to break the naval blockade".

"DFAT is aware, through media reporting, of several Australians who may be intending to join a flotilla to deliver aid to Gaza. DFAT has tried to contact the individuals concerned," a DFAT spokesperson said.

"Those wishing to deliver humanitarian aid should do so through established channels."

DFAT also warned of previous flotilla attempts in the region which resulted in escalations and deaths of activists.

"Previous attempts to break the naval blockage along the coast of Gaza have resulted in injury, death, arrest and the deportation of foreigners," the spokesperson said.

In 2010, the Mavi Marama Flotilla organised by the Free Gaza Movement attempted to carry 600 passengers from 40 nations to Gaza.

The ships were stopped by Israel's navy and resulted in 10 people being killed and 29 injured.

Participants in the current flotilla have undergone non-violence training.

"It feels like there's a possibility for hope, for people who see death and despair around every corner," Mr McEwen said.

"It's a scary mission but the power of the human connection here is also really inspiring."