“I commend the soldiers and commanders of the navy who carried out their mission on Yom Kippur in the most professional and efficient manner,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

The Greek organisers of the flotilla announced that 11 Greeks who were on the vessels were on hunger strike to protest against their “illegal detention by the Israeli authorities”.

“Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin,” the foreign ministry said on X, posting photos of Thunberg and other activists aboard a boat.

‘Piracy’

With the war in Gaza dragging on, solidarity with the Palestinians has grown globally, with activists and, increasingly, governments condemning Israel for its conduct.

After a 10-day stop in Tunisia, where organisers reported two drone attacks, the flotilla resumed its journey on 15 September.

Australians detained

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was liaising with Israeli authorities and was on standby to assist the detainees.