• Organisers say at least 15 activists were sexually abused during detention
• Italian prosecutors open probe into possible kidnapping, torture

ROME: Activists released from Israeli custody after being detained on a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza were subjected to abuse, organisers said on Friday, with several hospitalised for injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape.

Israeli forces arrested 430 people on board 50 ships in international waters Tuesday to halt a flotilla of volunteers attempting to bring aid supplies to Gaza.

Following their release, severe allegations of torture and sexual violence by Israeli authorities emerged, drawing immediate outrage and investigations from European Union member states.

Global Sumud Flotilla, the organisers of the aid shipment, stated the group documented at least 15 cases of sexual abuse. The worst atrocities occurred on an Israeli landing craft converted into a makeshift prison with barbed wire and shipping containers.

Detainees were thrown into the containers and beaten over the head and ribs, the group said in a statement. They suffered multiple cases of sexual abuse, including “humiliating strip searches, sexual taunting, groping and pulling of genitals, and multiple accounts of rape.”

“At least 12 sexual assaults have been documented on that vessel alone, including anal rape and forcible penetration by a handgun,” the group added. Activists said the abuse took place both at sea following their interception by Israeli naval forces and during their subsequent imprisonment in Israel.

Ilaria Mancosu, an Italian activist, said flotilla members were removed from their boats to two prison ships. Those put on one of the ships suffered extreme violence, locked in a container and beaten by five soldiers, suffering fractures to the ribs and arms. Some had serious injuries to their eyes and ears caused by tasers.

Mancosu said detainees spent two days on the prison ships with no running water. Stripped of most of their clothes and denied blankets, they used cardboard and plastic to keep warm at night.

Once on land, Israeli forces made them kneel for several hours, kicking and shoving them if they moved or spoke. They were then taken to a prison and periodically moved from room to room to prevent them from sleeping, she said.

However, Israel’s prison service denied the allegations.

The allegations are intensifying pressure on Israeli authorities, particularly after a video of an Israeli cabinet minister mocking activists pinned to the ground in a prison sparked international outcry.

EU members are discussing imposing sanctions on the minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking on the sidelines of a Nato meeting in Sweden, said he was in touch with his EU counterparts “so that there may be a quick decision to impose sanctions” against Ben-Gvir.

Legal and diplomatic actions are escalating across Europe. Rome prosecutors are investigating the possible crimes of kidnapping, torture and sexual assault, and will hear testimony from activists returning to Italy over the coming days, an Italian legal source said.

A German Foreign Ministry spokesperson said consular officials who met German activists upon their arrival in Istanbul reported that a number had injuries and were undergoing medical checks. Humane treatment of German nationals is an “absolute priority”, the spokesperson said, adding, “We naturally expect a full explanation, as some of the allegations that have been made are serious.”

Sabrina Charik, who helped organise the return of 37 French citizens, told Reuters five French participants had been hospitalised in Turkiye, some with broken ribs or fractured vertebrae. Some had made detailed accusations of sexual violence, including rape, she said.

An Instagram post showed French national Adrien Jouen displaying bruises across his back and forearms.

Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told reporters that 44 Spanish flotilla members were expected to arrive Friday on flights from Istanbul to Madrid and Barcelona, noting that four had received medical treatment for injuries.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2026