Upon their return to their home countries, some activists who were detained while attempting to reach Gaza by sea have spoken out about alleged mistreatment by Israeli guards, which Israel denies.
Israeli forces arrested around 450 activists during the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of 42 boats aiming to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and provide symbolic aid to the famine-stricken region. The detained individuals, taken into custody between Wednesday and Friday, were transported to Israel, with many still held in detention facilities.
The Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that all activists were offered voluntary deportation, but some opted to remain in detention to undergo the legal deportation process.
Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi, who arrived in Rome from Israel on Saturday, reported that Israeli soldiers allegedly withheld medication and treated prisoners in a degrading manner.
Israel denied the mistreatment allegations, labeling them as “brazen lies.”
Among the detained individuals were notable figures such as Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, Mandla Mandela (grandson of Nelson Mandela), and various European lawmakers.
Tommasi mentioned that Thunberg was specifically targeted by Israeli forces following her arrest.
He described witnessing Thunberg at the port with her arms restrained and an Israeli flag placed near her, which he perceived as a form of mockery and psychological abuse.
The ministry asserted on social media that all detainees had their legal rights fully respected, emphasizing that Thunberg did not raise any complaints about the alleged mistreatment.
The interception of the flotilla coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to mediate a new ceasefire in Gaza, which included halting Israeli airstrikes. Israel accepted Trump’s proposal, and Hamas indicated acceptance of certain terms, with negotiations scheduled in Cairo for the following week.
Another Italian journalist, Lorenzo D’Agostino, detailed instances of detainees being disturbed at night during his two-day confinement and subjected to intimidation tactics such as the presence of dogs and laser sights from guards’ firearms.
D’Agostino also alleged that his possessions and money were taken by Israeli authorities.
Activist Paolo De Montis recounted being confined in a cramped prison van for hours with his hands bound by zip ties.
He described the experience as filled with stress and humiliation, detailing instances of physical aggression from the guards and prolonged periods of kneeling.
Ben-Gvir refers to flotilla members as ‘terrorists’
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed pride in the treatment of detainees at Ketziot prison, located in the Negev desert.
He labeled the detained activists as supporters of terrorism and justified their treatment as be
