News live: Australian flotilla activists released by Israel arrive in Istanbul and claim they were denied food and water

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Australian onboard flotilla says group was treated ‘really poorly’ after detention by Israel

All of the activists travelling aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, who were detained by Israeli authorities this week, have been released from detention and are now in Istanbul.

A statement from the flotilla’s Australian delegation said 428 people, including 11 Australians, were free after spending about 80 hours in detention. The Australians were undergoing examinations at a hospital and will meet with lawyers in the coming days before their return to Australia.

Zack Schofield, one of the Australians on board, said the group was taken to prison and “treated really poorly”:

Many of us haven’t eaten for days. We were denied water for two days. … But it is nothing compared to what happens to Palestinians in the occupied territories every single day. …

The message to our Australian government is that they need to cut ties with Israel. We need to cancel the alliance, stop sending them weapons parts, stop giving them political support.

Good morning

Good morning and welcome to Friday, we’ve made it. It’s Nick Visser here again to take you through the day’s news. Here’s what’s on deck:

The 428 activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, including 11 Australians, have now been released by Israeli authorities after they were detained earlier this week. One of those Aussies said they were in custody for about 80 hours and denied food and water, “but it is nothing compared to what happens to Palestinians”.

Public transport use is back to normal in NSW after the spike in fuel prices fades. At the height of the crisis, trips across trains, metro services, buses, light rail and ferries lifted by about 10%. In Victoria, where public transport is free, use was 20% higher.

We’ll have more soon. Stick with us.