Activists detained aboard a flotilla attempting to take aid to Gaza have alleged they were subjected to sexual assault and other abuse in Israeli custody, with organisers reporting at least 15 cases of sexual violence, including rape. Israel's prison service has denied the claims, describing them as false and entirely without factual basis.
Germany said some of its nationals had been injured and described some accusations as serious, while a legal source in Italy said prosecutors in Rome were investigating possible crimes including kidnapping, torture and sexual assault. The Italian foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said EU counterparts were discussing the possibility of sanctions against Israel's national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, after he posted a video mocking detainees.
Luca Poggi, an Italian economist who was detained, said on his arrival in Rome: "We were stripped, thrown to the ground, kicked. Many of us were Tasered, some were sexually assaulted, and some were denied access to a lawyer." Sabrina Charik, who helped organise the return of French citizens, said five French participants had been hospitalised in Turkey, some with broken ribs or fractured vertebrae, and that some had made detailed accusations of sexual violence, including rape.
Israeli forces arrested 430 people on 50 ships in international waters on Tuesday to halt the flotilla of volunteers trying to take aid to the Gaza Strip. Activists said some of the alleged abuse took place at sea after interception by Israeli naval forces, and some after imprisonment in Israel. The Israeli prison service said all detainees were held in accordance with the law, with medical care provided according to professional judgment. The Israeli military referred queries to the foreign ministry, which referred them to the prison service.
Activists from several European countries were expected to arrive home on flights from Turkey after being deported from Israel on Thursday. Spain's foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, said 44 Spanish flotilla members were expected throughout Friday, with four receiving medical treatment. Germany said consular officials had met German activists in Istanbul and reported some injuries. The organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla said on Telegram: "While the world's eye is trained on the suffering of our participants, we cannot emphasise enough that this is a mere glimpse of the brutality Israel imposes daily on Palestinian hostages." Reuters was not able to independently verify the allegations.
