Gaza flotilla activists subjected to sexual, physical abuse in Israeli custody: Report

The Global Sumud Flotilla has confirmed that international activists abducted by Israeli forces during the troops’ raid on the Gaza-bound aid ships in international waters have been subjected to sexual violence, physical assaults and degrading treatment while in Israeli custody.

Israeli naval forces targeted vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla’s Spring 2026 mission, which aimed to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza and deliver essential aid, off the coast of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea late last month. Dozens of activists were kidnapped during the attack.

In a statement on Thursday, the Global Sumud Flotilla said testimonies gathered from released activists indicated “a pattern of severe physical and sexual violence and systematic degradation” following the attack.

According to the humanitarian aid flotilla, at least four activists were sexually assaulted while in Israeli custody, with two of them subjected to severe abuse by touching their private parts.

Other participants reported repeated assaults on their private parts alongside verbal sexual abuse and humiliating treatment.

Abducted activists were also subjected to deliberate deprivation tactics, including exposure to cold conditions, confiscation of warm clothing and inadequate access to food, water and bedding, resulting in cases of hypothermia and hyperthermia, the statement said.

The abuses reflected “a broader pattern of treatment intended to dehumanize those standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

Italy opens torture probe after Israel’s kidnapping of Gaza flotilla activists

Italy has opened an investigation into the detention of Italian nationals following Israel’s interception of the humanitarian Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Greece.

The group also expressed concern about the continued detention of Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila, who are both on a hunger strike.

Reports said Avila and Abu Keshek have been subjected to severe physical abuse and death threats during interrogation.

On April 26, the flotilla comprised of more than 50 vessels carrying activists from multiple countries set sail from Italy towards Gaza, where Israel’s genocidal war has killed 72,599 Palestinians and injured 172,411 others.

A similar operation in October saw Israeli forces intercept around 40 flotilla boats, detaining more than 450 participants, including the grandson of South African leader Nelson Mandela, Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg and European Parliament member Rima Hassan.

Some of those detained later reported physical and psychological abuse in custody. The regime subsequently deported the activists.

US pressures Turkey to stop new Gaza flotilla

A week after Israel stopped the Sumud-2 flotilla, the occupying regime is trying to thwart another one before it sets sail.

At Israel’s request, the United States asked Turkey to prevent 15 ships from joining the 60-vessel Sumud flotilla, ynet reported, amid concerns of the repetition of the deadly raid on Mavi Marmara.

In 2010, Israeli forced stormed the vessel “Mavi Marmara”, which was launched from southern Turkey, killing 10 and injuring 28 others.

Amid the US efforts to prevent the new flotilla, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed messages to Turkish officials on the matter.

The new 60-vessel flotilla includes 35 vessels anchored in Crete, 15 in Turkey and the rest in Sicily.

Under the current plan, the flotilla is expected to reach the area by May 15. Many of the ships expected to head toward Gaza also participated in the previous flotilla that was attacked.

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