Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Israeli naval forces for intercepting a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, as authorities prepare to deport hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists aboard the vessels. An Israeli official said more than 400 activists aboard 41 vessels were detained during the operation. Australians detainedSix Australians in the Gaza aid flotilla have also been detained by the Israeli military after their vessels were intercepted about 70km from the enclave's coastline, flotilla organisers say. "We understand that people want to help deliver aid to those suffering in Gaza — we also want to see critical aid delivered. "We repeat our call on Israel to enable the sustained, unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza."