Istanbul: Participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla have alleged they were beaten, tortured and subjected to degrading treatment after Israeli forces intercepted their Gaza bound vessels in international waters and deported them to Turkey.
The flotilla, which set sail from the southern Turkish port of Marmaris on May 14, comprised more than 50 boats carrying symbolic humanitarian supplies and over 400 participants from dozens of countries. Israeli naval forces intercepted the convoy on the evening of May 18 and subsequently returned the activists to Turkey.
Photos and videos shared after the activists’ arrival in Istanbul showed detainees with bruises, cuts and other facial injuries. Rights groups and organisers accused Israeli personnel of using violence during the operation and while in custody. The Europe Palestine Network said released participants displayed “visible signs of torture” and alleged detainees suffered physical abuse, deprivation and degrading treatment.
Testimonies from deported activists describe harsh handling. One participant said detainees were “illegally kidnapped”, dragged when they could not walk, tightly restrained and beaten. “They hit us. Hurt all of us a lot. Handcuffs so tight my hands lost feeling,” the activist wrote in an online account, adding that guards mocked prisoners and refused basic requests.
Belgian activist Julien Cabral, 57, told AFP he sustained a black eye and a wound to his temple during the raid on his vessel. He said detainees were slapped, insulted and forced to repeatedly request food, water and hygiene items, and that injured activists were denied prompt medical care. Doctors Against Genocide posted photographs on Instagram of released volunteers showing bruises and other injuries, which the group cited as evidence of physical abuse.
Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani, deported to Athens, said detainees were transferred to Ben Gurion Airport while restrained. “They kicked us and punched us and shouted ‘Welcome to Israel’,” he told reporters in Rome.
Additional allegations circulating online accused Israeli personnel of sexual violence and other degrading acts; these claims have not been independently verified.
Israeli authorities have not publicly addressed the specific accusations. Israel has repeatedly defended its interception of aid flotillas, saying the naval blockade of Gaza is lawful and necessary for security.
The episode sparked diplomatic protests after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted footage on X showing him mocking detainees kneeling with their hands tied. France, Canada, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands summoned Israeli envoys over the video and the reported treatment of activists. European Council President Antonio Costa criticised Ben Gvir’s conduct as “completely unacceptable”, and Italy has demanded an apology. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had raised the matter with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to discuss potential measures at the next meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Investigations into the incident and the allegations of mistreatment are ongoing.