Former Shortland Street actor Will Alexander and Ava Mulla aboard the 'Conscience'. Photo: SUPPLIED
The sister of a New Zealander on board an aid flotilla trying to reach Gaza says she's worried about his welfare after losing contact with him this afternoon.
Will Alexander and his German partner Ava Mulla have been on board The Freedom Flotilla, on a boat called The Conscience.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said in a post on X that several of its boats were intercepted by Israel and the passengers have been transferred to an Israeli port for deportation.
Alexander's sister Kate Day told RNZ they learned about a likely interception about 4pm on Wednesday.
She said she last heard from her brother that morning and is concerned about how Israel will treat the participants if they are detained.
"My hope is that Israel follows international law and treats all of its participants that it is detaining well, and that it releases them as soon as possible.
"There have been reports from the previous Flotilla - there were allegations of mistreatment - I really hope that doesn't happen, what Will said when he was anticipating those kind of outcomes, was that that pales in comparison with what people in Gaza are going through every day."
Members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, who were detained and deported from Israel last week, reported allegations of physical and psychological abuse by Israeli forces.
Israel's foreign ministry said the claims were "complete lies", and the detainees rights were upheld.
Day said the Flotilla participants were aware of the risks of going aboard, but believed them worthwhile.
"I'm just so proud of all of the people who have had the courage to put their lives at risk to be the finger pointing at Gaza, and pointing at what's going on to keep the world's eyes on the situation and to make sure that all governments - ours included - does everything in its power to put pressure on the government of Israel to stop what it's doing."
Three New Zealanders on the Global Sumud Flotilla - Rana Hamida, Youssef Sammour and Sam Leason - were deported to Jordan this week.
Day said she was urging the New Zealand government to ensure Alexander and Mulla got safely back home.
"As the New Zealand government has used its consular support to assist in getting the other Flotilla participants home, we would ask that again they would do everything in their power to ensure that they return safely."
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has been approached for comment.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was aware a New Zealander had been detained and consular officials were responding.
"The safety of New Zealanders is paramount. We expect any New Zealanders to be treated in a manner consistent with international law and have communicated this directly to Israel several times," a spokesperson said.
"New Zealand has a long-standing 'do not travel' advisory in place for Gaza. The advisory explicitly warns New Zealanders against any attempt to enter Gaza by sea in breach of Israeli Navy restrictions, including participation in flotillas to deliver aid."
The ministry would not comment further on individual cases for privacy reasons, they said.
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