“[It’s] pretty unnecessary. They could have got all the information they needed about us from one circle around us,” he said.
“They’ve gone over to the Thousand Madleens fleet to get some more information. We’re not 100% sure it’s the Israelis, but I don’t know who else would be flying military aircraft over the top of us.
“I guess they’re trying to intimidate us a little bit, but all good.”
Swarbrick captioned her shared story “@william.alexander153 and Ava have just been abducted by Israel along with other members of the Conscience aid ship”.
Aid ship The Conscience was reportedly intercepted by Israeli forces about 5pm NZ time.
“We are in touch with MFAT [Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade] to ensure our [sic] their safety.”
According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition website, The Conscience was intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea today at 5pm (NZ time).
Alexander’s sister Kate Day said in a statement that the flotilla had been sailing in international waters to deliver humanitarian aid, “a mission that is protected under international law”.
“Israel is breaking international law by disrupting this mission, and its decision to do so has the direct impact of denying food to children who are starving,” she wrote.
“Please join me in writing to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister to do everything in their power to ensure Will and Ava’s safe return.”
An MFAT spokesperson said the ministry was aware of reports a second flotilla had been intercepted by Israeli authorities.
“Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade consular officials are seeking further information.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry posted to X earlier this afternoon that “another futile attempt” to breach the blockade “ended in nothing”.
“The vessels and the passengers are transferred to an Israeli port. All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly.”
Alexander previously made headlines for a hunger strike over the war in Gaza.
He went without food for 19 days and said he had stopped the hunger strike after being contacted by people from Palestine pleading with him to eat because his health had deteriorated.
“They were standing there in the rubble with a sign with my name on it and they sent their love but asked me to stop. Enough people have lost their lives. Enough people have been damaged.”
Previous intercepts
Three other Kiwis have previously been intercepted by IDF forces after taking part in Gaza flotillas.
On Monday, the families of Rana Hamida, Youssef Sammour and Samuel Leason urged the Government to do “everything in its power” to bring them home safely.
Organisers for the humanitarian flotilla say the boats carrying the three Kiwis were illegally intercepted on September 29 while trying to break an Israeli blockade of Gaza.
Yesterday morning, Foreign Minister Winston Peters told Herald NOW’s Ryan Bridge the trio would be put on a bus to Jordan from Israel, where they were taken after being detained, and from there he hoped they would be left on their own to find a way back to New Zealand.
David Williams is an Auckland-based Multimedia Journalist who joined the Herald in 2023. He covers breaking news and general topics.