Photo: Screenshot
More than a hundred people who were part of the intercepted flotilla to Gaza - including those from New Zealand - have entered Jordan.
The country's state news agency said the 131 people entered through the King Hussein Bridge after arrangements to ensure their safe passage.
They reportedly included people from several countries including New Zealand, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
The father of Samuel Leason - one of the three from New Zealand held by Israel - told RNZ his son, Rana Hamida and Youssef Sammour had been released.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed the three New Zealanders detained by Israel have been released.
An MFAT spokesperson said on Wednesday morning that the trio were on board buses containing other deportees which have now crossed into Jordan.
A boat from the Global Sumud Flotilla, intercepted by Israeli forces in the Mediterranean sea off the Gaza Strip waters, is escorted towards the southern port of Ashdod on 2 October, 2025. Photo: SAEED QAQ / AFP
A video posted by the Global Movement to Gaza https://www.instagram.com/globalmovementtogaza.aunz/ appears to show the three New Zealanders dressed in white t-shirts and grey trackpants, following their release.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT) said on Tuesday night it did not respond to non-urgent queries after hours, and would respond on Wednesday morning.
Adi Leason said he was initially in disbelief when his son Samuel called him late on Tuesday night. He said it was a quick call and it was fantastic to hear the teenager's voice.
"It was little taste, just a little moment where the connection's made and you don't know ... someone's okay until they tell you themselves. And Samuel's told us in no uncertain terms - he's back."
Leason said his son sounded surprisingly good.
"He sounded really bouyant and hopeful and he just kept saying, 'I've got so many stories dad, I've got so many stories.'
"He said he'd been incarcerated in a cage with Nelson Mandela's grandson, and they'd become buddies."
Leason said he understood the flotilla participants had spent time in a big hall, "kinda being paraded and berated by the authorities".
"Then the other times when they were crammed in ... Samuel mentioned 11 crammed into a cell at one time."
He said Samuel confirmed that he was with fellow New Zealanders, Rana Hamida and Youssef Sammour, "that they were together, that they were free".
Leason said his son was hoping to be back in the county by the end of the week.
Earlier, Leason said he thought the New Zealanders and Australians were being kept together. "And they are being put up in a hotel at their - just to stress this - at their own expense ... so, no cost to the taxpayer."
He understood the New Zealanders' passports had been returned to them, but their other personal belongings had not.
"We don't know the exact details on that. Their passports are in their possession which is going to speed up the ability to book flights and get home as soon as possible."
A welcome home celebration was being planned for Saturday, Leason said.
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