The Australian government says it is engaging with Israel over the welfare of 11 Australians detained, as Israeli forces fire "non-lethal" shots at two boats in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

The Israeli military began intercepting several boats that are part of a flotilla attempting to break the Gaza blockade.

The organisers of a flotilla of ships trying to break Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza say Israel's navy is about to begin intercepting the group off the coast of Cyprus.