‘Israeli’ forces abuse detained Gaza flotilla activists under Ben-Gvir’s supervision

• Footage shared by Ben-Gvir shows alleged abuse of detained Gaza flotilla activists by ‘Israeli’ forces under his supervision following the interception of the aid convoy.

At least 87 activists detained from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have launched a hunger strike in protest at their detention and what organisers describe as their “abduction”, as 'Israeli' National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released footage showing detainees after they were taken to Ashdod port following the interception of vessels in international waters.

The activists, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, announced the hunger strike late on Tuesday after 'Israeli' forces seized the Lina al-Nabulsi, the final remaining vessel attempting to reach Gaza. The ship’s interception marked the end of a multi-vessel mission that organisers said involved more than 50 boats departing from the Turkish port of Marmaris last week.

In a video published on Wednesday, Ben-Gvir is seen walking among restrained detainees lying on the ground, shouting: “Welcome to Israel, we are the owners of this house.”

Another clip showed a female activist being thrown to the ground after chanting “Free Palestine”, while an 'Israeli' officer is heard telling her to “be quiet”. In the same footage, Ben-Gvir is heard saying: “They came with a lot of arrogance. Look how they look now. Not heroes at all, but supporters of terrorism,” while urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to keep the detainees imprisoned “for a much longer period”.

Separately, Ben-Gvir also published additional video material on his official Telegram account showing what he described as scenes from Ashdod port after the activists were forcibly taken there. The footage, described by Arabic media as showing “assault and humiliation” of international activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, prompted widespread condemnation from rights groups and international observers. Organisers said the images exposed “the true face of the occupation’s policies based on violence and violations of international humanitarian law”.

Netanyahu later called for the swift deportation of detained flotilla activists and said a video released by the minister showing the incident was “not in line with Israel’s values.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla said at least 87 detainees had begun a hunger strike “in protest of their illegal abduction and in solidarity with the over 9,500 Palestinian hostages held in Israeli dungeons”. The movement called for the immediate release of all detainees and urged governments to condemn what it described as “an act of piracy” in international waters.

Organisers said 'Israeli' forces began intercepting vessels off the coast of Cyprus on Monday, boarding ships, firing rubber bullets, and detaining participants during the operation. The Lina al-Nabulsi was the last vessel to be intercepted, ending what organisers described as a coordinated attempt to break 'Israel’s' naval blockade on Gaza and deliver symbolic humanitarian aid.

According to flotilla organisers, 428 activists from 44 nationalities have now been detained. Among them are 15 Irish citizens, including Margaret Connolly, a doctor and sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.

'Israel’s' legal rights group Adalah said detainees were transferred to Ashdod after being intercepted at sea, stating that civilians attempting to deliver aid were “forcibly abducted from international waters and taken into 'Israeli' territory against their will”.

Adalah added that intercepting civilian vessels and blocking humanitarian aid constituted “grave violations of international law”.

'Israel’s' Foreign Ministry confirmed that around 430 participants had been transferred to 'Israeli' custody, dismissing the mission as “nothing more than a PR stunt”.

Several countries, including Türkiye, Spain, Jordan, Pakistan, Brazil, and Indonesia, have condemned the interceptions as violations of international law and international humanitarian law.