Freed Gaza flotilla activists allege Israeli abuse including rape; Israel denies claims |
Activists released from Israeli custody after being detained on a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza were subjected to abuse, organizers alleged on Friday, with several hospitalized with injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape.
The Israel Prison Service denied the charges, saying all detained activists were held “in accordance with the law, with full regard for their basic rights,” and received necessary and professional medical care.
Reuters noted it was unable to independently verify the activists’ allegations.
Germany said some of its nationals had been injured and that some accusations were “serious,” without giving further details.
A legal source in Italy said prosecutors there were investigating possible crimes, including kidnapping and sexual assault.
Israeli forces arrested 430 people on board 50 ships in international waters on Tuesday to halt a flotilla of volunteers trying to break the blockade on Gaza.
The allegations of abuse will add pressure on Israeli authorities to explain the treatment of the detainees, after a video of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir in a prison mocking some of the bound, kneeling activists sparked an international outcry.
“We’re very concerned by these reports,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said when asked about the abuse allegations at a regular briefing on Friday.
Italy said EU members were discussing imposing sanctions on Ben Gvir. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he was in touch with all his EU counterparts “so that there may be a quick decision to impose sanctions” on the minister.
ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור Welcome to Israel ???????? pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC — איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May 20, 2026
ככה אנחנו מקבלים את תומכי הטרור
Welcome to Israel ???????? pic.twitter.com/7Hf8cAg7fC
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) May........