Tasmanian Ship Captain Freed After 4 Days In Israeli Prison For Attempting To Deliver Aid To Gaza

Tasmanian aid worker and ship captain Madeleine Habib has been released from an Israeli prison four days after being detained for attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of an international flotilla.

Habib was freed on Sunday morning (Israel time) and taken to the Jordanian border with other members of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a group that sought to challenge Israel’s long-standing naval blockade of Gaza.

The captain was released following a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, which temporarily halted fighting in the region. She was arrested on 8 October after Israeli naval forces intercepted her vessel, The Conscience, around 120 nautical miles off Gaza in international waters.

The ship was carrying around 100 volunteers, including doctors and nurses, along with medical supplies and food aid valued at more than $110,000.

Following the interception, Israeli authorities detained over 140 activists from the nine ships that made up the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza missions. The detainees were transported to Ketziot Prison, a high-security facility located in Israel’s Negev desert.

According to reports, Habib initially refused to sign a waiver acknowledging that she had attempted to breach Israel’s naval blockade. Officials had informed her that she would be held “indefinitely” unless she signed the document. It remains unclear whether she later agreed to the waiver prior to her release.

While in custody, Habib reportedly told Australian consular representatives that she had experienced degradation but no physical abuse, surviving on stale bread and brown tap water during her detention. Her husband, Stuart Baird, described the situation as deeply distressing, saying it was “terrifying” to have a loved one “abducted at sea”.

Australian officials confirmed that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) had raised concerns with Israeli authorities regarding the treatment of Australian nationals detained during the operation.

A spokesperson for DFAT reiterated that Australians had been repeatedly warned against joining missions that attempt to breach the blockade, citing serious safety risks. The spokesperson also reiterated Australia’s call for Israel to allow the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where nearly 68,000 people have died and famine persists due to ongoing conflict.

Tasmanian Greens Senator Nick McKim praised Habib for her actions, describing her as a “great Tasmanian” and “a true hero”, saying her courage had inspired many and given hope to the people of Gaza. He criticised Israel’s interception as piracy and kidnapping and urged Foreign Minister Penny Wong to respond strongly.

Habib’s release follows an earlier incident this month in which more than 40 ships attempting to reach Gaza were intercepted by Israeli forces, during which around 470 people, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested. Most were released soon after, though some reported mistreatment.

Habib is the eighth Australian national to have been detained by Israel for taking part in Gaza aid flotillas.

References: arabnews, pulsetasmania

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