Seven Australian activists who made claims of violent physical abuse and the withholding of food and water during their detention in an Israeli prison have been released and deported to Jordan.

The Australians were detained by Israeli forces after participating in a flotilla to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Members of the cohort made statements to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade saying they suffered systematic abuse during their detention, including sleep deprivation, the denial of food and water, and physical violence that had resulted in one detainee suffering a dislocated arm. Israeli authorities said claims of abuse against flotilla detainees were “fake news”.

Their release was confirmed by a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who said: “We are pleased the

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