Organisers of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla reported that freed activists abducted by Israel described abuse in detention, including at least 15 incidents of sexual assault or rape. Several activists were hospitalised with injuries after hundreds were deported from Israel. Germany said some of its nationals on board were injured and that some accusations were serious. Italy’s prosecutors were investigating possible crimes including kidnapping and sexual assault. Israeli forces abducted about 430 people on board 50 ships in international waters to halt the flotilla. A video released by Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir showed foreign activists cable-tied and kneeling in a holding pen in Ashdod while the national anthem played. Organisers also reported rubber-bullet injuries and broken bones.
"Organisers of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla say freed foreign activists who were abducted from international waters, faced abuse while in Israeli detention, including at least 15 reporting incidents of sexual assault or rape. The Global Sumud Flotilla organisers added in a statement on Telegram on Friday that several activists were hospitalised with injuries, a day after hundreds were deported from Israel."
"Israeli forces abducted about 430 people on board 50 ships in international waters on Tuesday to halt a flotilla of volunteers trying to bring aid supplies to the Gaza Strip. The allegations of abuse will add to pressure on Israeli authorities to explain the treatment of the detainees after a video was released by Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which showed him taunting foreign activists at a makeshift holding pen in Israel's city of Ashdod."
"The activists are seen cable-tied and kneeling while Israel's national anthem blares in the video, which was released on Wednesday. At least 15 cases of sexual assaults, including rape. Shot with rubber bullets at close range. Tens of people's bones broken, organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla posted on Telegram."
"Germany said some of its nationals who were on board the flotilla had been injured and that some accusations were serious, without giving further details. A legal source in Italy said prosecutors there were investigating possible crimes, including kidnapping and sexual assault."
#gaza-aid-flotilla #sexual-assault-allegations #israeli-detention #international-waters #legal-investigations
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