Tears and cheers have greeted the first Australian activists to return home after being detained by Israel on a mission to get aid to Gaza.

Gemma O’Toole was the first of 11 Australians released by Israel to arrive home on Sunday night, where she was greeted by her parents and supporters at Melbourne Airport.

Gemma O'Toole is the first of 11 Australian activists detained by Israel off the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla to arrive back in Australia.