'Israel' sexually assaults and abuses flotilla activists

• Released Gaza flotilla activists allege torture, sexual assault, and severe abuse during detention in ‘Israel’.
• ‘Israel’ denies the allegations, maintaining detainees were treated under international legal standards.

Humanitarian activists released from detention have reported serious allegations of torture, physical abuse, and sexual assault during their detention in ‘Israel’, following the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters.

The reports, issued after deportations to countries including Turkey, Italy, and Ireland, have triggered international scrutiny over the treatment of detainees and the legality of the maritime operation targeting the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Organizers of the flotilla say detainees were subjected to severe mistreatment, including physical violence, denial of legal access, and degrading detention conditions.

They report that at least 15 cases of sexual assault, including rape, were documented among participants, alongside dozens of injuries such as fractures and head trauma. The allegations also describe the use of rubber bullets and Tasers at close range during the operation.

Irish activist Majella Connolly described the detention conditions as “barbaric, cruel, and violent,” alleging that around 50 individuals were confined in a cramped, windowless space with limited access to food, water, and hygiene supplies.

Italian economist Luca Poggi, who was among those released, said detainees were “stripped, thrown to the ground, kicked, and Tasered,” adding that some were denied access to legal counsel.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of roughly 50 vessels and carrying about 428 activists and medical supplies from more than 40 countries, was intercepted by ‘Israel’ in international waters near Cyprus and Greece.

Organizers say the convoy was attempting to break the naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and deliver humanitarian aid amid worsening conditions in the enclave.

Backlash intensified after footage circulated showing detainees in restraints, which was shared by ‘Israel’s’ far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The video drew swift condemnation from multiple governments and rights groups, with officials in Ireland and Spain describing the treatment as “monstrous, disgraceful, and inhumane.”

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also criticized the footage as unacceptable, prompting discussions within the European Union regarding possible responses.

Amnesty International called the interception unlawful and warned of a broader pattern of arbitrary detention and alleged abuses linked to ‘Israel’s’ enforcement of the Gaza blockade.

The 'Israeli' Prison Service and military officials have denied all allegations of abuse, stating that detainees were treated in accordance with international legal standards and under medical supervision.

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu distanced himself from the released video, saying it did not reflect the country’s values, while maintaining that the maritime interception was necessary to enforce the blockade on the Gaza Strip.

Despite the seizure of all flotilla vessels, organizers maintain that the mission succeeded in drawing global attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Human rights advocates are calling for independent investigations into the allegations, while diplomatic tensions continue to rise over the treatment of activists and the legality of the interception in international waters.