Australians setting sail for Gaza admit they fear abuse in Israeli prison cells, as they attempt to deliver aid to the shattered territory.
A fleet of 100 boats including16 Australian sailors will depart an Italian port later in April, carrying about 500 tonnes of humanitarian aid, trying to penetrate a naval blockade Israel has enforced since 2007.
The previous Global Sumud Flotilla bound for the strip in September 2025 weathered multiple drone attacks, with Israeli forces intercepting all 42 vessels and detaining more than 450 activists including seven Australians.
After returning home, those Australians alleged a string of human rights violations while in Israeli prison cells including being sexually assaulted, tortured, kicked, punched and spat on while also being denied clean drinking water, medication and access to a lawyer.
Israel denied all accusations of mistreatment.
Zack Schofield admitted he was becoming more scared by the hour ahead of his Australian departure.
"I'm an only child, and (my parents) have expressed their anxieties to me many times, but also their pride," he told AAP.
Foreign affairs officials told activists it would be difficult to offer them consular assistance if they landed in Israeli custody, Mr Schofield said.
The department's Smartraveller website cautions against participating in any flotilla bound for Gaza, but Mr Schofield said authorities had not tried to stop them leaving.
"If we do end up at the mercy of the Israelis, I will not be looking to Australian consular services to guarantee our safety," he said.
"If we return terribly harmed, or if we don't return at all, then that will be a serious political problem for the government of the day in Australia."
Canberra made representations to Israel about the welfare of the seven Australians detained after the last flotilla.
Greens senator David Shoebridge called on the Albanese government to take official measures to ensure Australians' safety.
"A handful of Australians are now going to break that siege ... our government should be on their side, not Israel's," he told AAP on Wednesday.
The Jewish Council of Australia also backed the flotilla, saying sailors were doing the humanitarian duties of world leaders.
"These activists wouldn't be compelled to risk their lives ... if the international community was taking really serious action to prevent Israel's flagrant breaches of international law," the group's executive director Sarah Schwartz told AAP.
"This is a matter for all of our humanity."
The hundred boat-strong fleet will be the first launched since the US brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on October 10, since when at least 673 Palestinians have been killed, according to UN figures.
It also follows US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Lebanon, which constricted flows of aid into the strip.
Israel remains at war with Lebanon despite Washington announcing a two-week suspension of strikes on Iran on Tuesday.
