Australian activists detained by Israel for trying to deliver aid to Gaza are heading home as the government defends itself from claims it did little to secure their release.
Seven Australians have been released from Ketziot prison in southern Israel and deported to Jordan.
Supporters allege they endured days of torture including physical assault, threats of sexual abuse and sleep deprivation.
Australian diplomats were providing ongoing consular assistance to the seven citizens and the government was pleased they had been released, a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday.
Officials had raised the welfare and treatment of the group with Israel, with diplomats travelling to Ketziot multiple times, conducting in-person visits and welfare checks, her office said.
The first of the returning detainees, doctor Bianca Webb-Pullman, is due back in Melbourne on Friday.
Family members have criticised the government for a lack of contact and public commentary in response to the allegations of mistreatment.
Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi accused Ms Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being "missing in action".
"These brave Australians were left to fend for themselves or supported by other governments, not their own," she said on social media.
In a social media post from an account reportedly linked to Cameron Tribe, the released Australian praised the "excellent" help from the consulate.
He was on board the Marinette - the last boat intercepted on October 3 as part of a flotilla of about 40 vessels attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.
But the mother of flotilla participant Surya McEwen said the government's silence was a betrayal.
Jacinta McEwen previously alleged her son was abused in Israeli custody, including having his head slammed into concrete at Ketziot.
"We are angry and disappointed that our prime minister and foreign minister said nothing, did nothing publicly, and never once contacted us while our children were being tortured," she said.
Israel has denied all claims of mistreatment.
Sydney-based Abubakir Rafiq's sister Hajar shared news of his release during a rally in Bankstown on Tuesday night.
"My body has been running on adrenaline for six days now, just not knowing what's going to happen," she told AAP, moments after announcing the news.
"I'm over the moon. I'm ecstatic. I'm just really relieved."
She called the government's lack of public commentary "shameful" after alleging her brother's shoulder and ribs were injured in custody.
The rally coincided with the two-year anniversary of Hamas's deadly attack and Israel's subsequent military offensive in Gaza.
Ms Rafiq urged attendees to keep pressuring politicians to end the military campaign that has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians in the blockaded enclave.
The Albanese government has previously shown a preference for "quiet diplomacy", drawing praise from some including the mother of Julian Assange after his eventual return to Australia.
The government has engaged in public commentary when it felt its representations were being ignored, including over an "act of aggression" from a Chinese fighter jet.
The release of the flotilla activists comes as pro-Palestine protesters and police go to court over a planned rally at the Sydney Opera House forecourt.
Premier Chris Minns has urged the organisers of Sunday's rally to choose another location.
