Australian man 'scared' but determined to sail into Gaza to deliver vital aid supplies with international charity

Surya McEwen has been part of fundraising efforts to support humanitarian aid in Gaza. (Supplied: Jess Mamone)

Devastated by the human cost of the Israel-Gaza conflict and frustrated by what he sees as a lack of government intervention, Surya McEwen is setting sail for Gaza.

He spoke to the ABC from Istanbul, Türkiye, where was he waiting to join an international crew aiming to deliver food and medical supplies to the Palestinian enclave.

“It’s such a desperate human situation that the opportunity to deliver 5,500 tonnes of desperately needed aid felt like something I wanted to be a part of,” he said.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international charity that works to deliver supplies and campaign for an end to the blockade of Gaza, is sending three boats from Türkiye to Gaza in the coming days.

“There’s one huge cargo ship that will have the 5,500 tonnes of aid, and then there’s two cruise ships that we’ll also be taking as part of the flotilla,” Mr McEwen said.

The exact location the boats will depart from is not disclosed to the participants until close to the departure date, for security reasons.

Mr McEwen is one of three Australians understood to be joining the mission.

A nervous wait

The trip comes just weeks after aid workers from World Central Kitchen, including Australian Zomi Frankcom, were killed during Israeli air strikes.

Mr McEwen said the risks of entering a war zone would not deter him.

“I feel scared, but I also feel like we’re going to be OK, and it feels like such a special thing to be a part of,” he said.

But it is a nervous wait for his loved ones.

“Of course, I’m really concerned about him going into a war zone, but I also am proud of him that he feels so much that it’s in his integrity to go and take aid to people,” his mother Jacinta McEwen said.

“That’s sort of how I’ve raised my sons; to be caring about the environment and caring about people, and even though I’m worried about him, I’m also proud of him.”

Managing the risk

James Godfrey from Free Gaza Australia, which works with the FFC, said more than 25 boats had sailed for the charity since 2008.

Participants such as Mr McEwen were carefully vetted before being approved to sail into an armed conflict.

“We’ve received many applications and only three people so far have been accepted as participants in Australia,” he said.

“That’s indicative of the diligence we’ve been through and the deep conversations we’ve had with the participants, their friends, their support networks, their teams who they are going to be leaving behind.”

Mr Godfrey said the ships were carrying dried and non-perishable food, bedding and blankets, as well as ambulances and power generators.

He called on the Australian government and other nations to pressure the Israeli government to ensure the flotilla’s safe and successful passage.

“The biggest risk is governments don’t act to protect this humanitarian aid emergency mission, and they’ve been failing — so that’s why we’re sailing,” he said.

“I’m extremely proud of the people who are able at this particular moment to deploy their privilege, their passport privilege, and act when our government is failing to act.”

Australians ‘urged’ to avoid Gaza

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware of reports Australians may be intending to join a flotilla to deliver aid to Gaza.

As stated in the Smartraveller travel advice, the Israeli government has a naval blockade in place.

Those wishing to deliver humanitarian aid should do so through established channels. Previous attempts to break the naval blockade along the coast of Gaza have resulted in injury, death, arrest and the deportation of foreigners. We urge Australians not to try to break the naval blockade.

Australia is using its voice to advocate for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and that international humanitarian law be upheld.

We have been clear with Israel that it must comply with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice, including to enable the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale.

Australia continues to support the international community’s response to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Since this conflict commenced, Australia has committed $52.5 million in humanitarian assistance to address essential needs.

In the meantime, Ms McEwen is planning how she will celebrate her son’s return.

She said it would likely be a family meal at an Indian restaurant.

“I’m very much looking forward to that,” she said.

“That’s what I’m focusing my attention on; whenever I get worried, you know, us parents, we always get worried even if they are grown up and men themselves, and I just have to keep coming back to [the idea of] him coming home safely.”