Gaza aid flotilla activists allege abuse in Israeli custody after raids

Israel has deported hundreds of foreign activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla earlier this week, sparking growing international criticism.

Activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla arrived in countries including Turkiye, Spain and Jordan on Thursday after being held by Israeli authorities.

Turkish officials said 422 people were evacuated on chartered flights, including 85 Turkish citizens.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein defended the operation, saying: “Israel will not permit any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.”

The legal group Adalah said most of the roughly 430 activists were deported from Ramon airport in southern Israel.

Several participants alleged mistreatment while in custody. Belgian activist Julien Cabral told AFP he was punched during the raid and later denied medical care.

Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani said activists were “taken to Ben Gurion airport in handcuffs and with chains on our feet”.

Israel’s raids on the flotilla drew condemnation from multiple governments, including Spain, Brazil and India, which described the operation as “blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticised far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after he posted footage mocking detained activists online.