More activists deported from Israel after joining an intercepted aid flotilla to Gaza have alleged severe mistreatment by Israeli forces, saying they were harassed, deprived of food, and subjected to humiliation during detention.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which sought to break the naval blockade of Gaza and deliver symbolic aid, was intercepted between Wednesday and Friday. About 450 participants were arrested during the Israeli operation, sparking widespread criticism and global protests.
Italian activist Cesare Tofani, speaking at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport on Sunday, said, “We were treated terribly … from the army to the police, there was harassment,” according to Italy’s ANSA news agency.
“We were treated like monkeys”
Fellow Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi told the Associated Press that Israeli soldiers had treated detainees “like monkeys” and denied them access to medicine. Yassine Lafram, head of the Union of Islamic Communities in Italy, added that the group was “treated violently” and “had weapons pointed at us,” calling it “unacceptable for a democratic country.”
Another Italian journalist, Lorenzo D’Agostino, who arrived in Istanbul after deportation, said soldiers intimidated detainees by unleashing dogs and pointing laser sights at prisoners. “You weren’t allowed to look them in the face,” he said. “When I did, one man came and slapped me on the back of the head. They forced us to stay on our knees for four hours.”
Malaysian sisters describe “brutal” detention conditions
Malaysian singers and sisters Heliza Helmi and Hazwani Helmi also described “brutal” conditions in Israeli detention. Speaking to Anadolu Agency in Istanbul, Hazwani said, “Can you imagine we drank from the toilet water? Some people were very sick, but they [the Israelis] said, ‘Are they dead? If not, that’s not my problem.’ They are very cruel people.”
Heliza added that detainees were deprived of food for days. “I ate on October 1. Today is my first meal,” she said on Saturday. “So for three days, I did not eat—only drank from the toilet.”
Earlier, deported activists also alleged that Greta Thunberg, one of the mission’s highest-profile members, had been “dragged on the ground,” “forced to kiss the Israeli flag,” and “used as propaganda.”
Israeli officials reject allegations
Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the claims of abuse “brazen lies,” insisting that “all detainees’ legal rights are fully upheld.” It said Greta Thunberg and other detainees “refused to expedite their deportation” and “never complained of any mistreatment.”
However, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir appeared to contradict that stance, saying he was “proud” of the harsh treatment. “Anyone who supports terrorism is a terrorist and deserves the conditions of terrorists,” Ben-Gvir said. “If they thought they’d be greeted with a red carpet—they were mistaken.”
He was also filmed mocking activists as they were brought ashore.
International condemnation and global protests
Israel’s handling of the flotilla arrests drew sharp condemnation from Pakistan, Turkiye, and Colombia, as well as a formal protest from Greece. Demonstrations in solidarity with the activists erupted across multiple countries.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that it had deported an additional 29 activists, while many others remained in detention.
