The detained Australians are academics, doctors, students, activists and film-makers who have urged the federal government to protect them.
“Here we are in international waters, and our governments are completely failing us. Do everything that you can to keep us safe.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) said it was “urgently seeking” confirmation of the Australians’ welfare.
“We will continue to make clear our expectation that any detainees receive humane treatment in line with international norms,” they said.
“We understand people want to respond to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but we continue to urge Australians not to join others seeking to break the Israeli naval blockade as they will be putting themselves and others at risk of injury, death, arrest or deportation.”
Israel’s blockade, described by the UN as a “direct contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law”, has been in effect since 2007, restricting movement in and out of the Gaza Strip.
Cypriot authorities confirmed the interceptions took place outside its territorial waters without previous notification and were condemned by Turkey as an act of piracy.