Breaking News: Aljazeerah, 22 May 2026
Anti-genocide activists released from Israeli custody after Israel seized a Gaza-bound aid flotilla say they were tortured, sexually assaulted and denied basic legal rights.
Organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla said several activists were hospitalised after their release, while at least 15 reported sexual assaults, including rape.
Israeli forces abducted at least 430 people from 50 vessels in international waters on Tuesday as they moved to block the flotilla from delivering aid to Gaza.
“At least 15 cases of sexual assaults, including rape. Shot with rubber bullets at close range. Tens of people’s bones broken,” organisers posted on Telegram.
“While the world’s eye is trained on the suffering of our participants, we cannot emphasize enough that this is a mere glimpse of the brutality Israel imposes daily on Palestinian hostages.”
Luca Poggi, an Italian economist detained on board the flotilla, told Reuters news agency: “We were stripped, thrown to the ground, kicked. Many of us were tasered, some were sexually assaulted, and some were denied access to a lawyer.”
Italian prosecutors are investigating possible crimes, including kidnapping, torture and sexual assault.
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