International activists deported from Israel after joining an intercepted Gaza aid flotilla have given further accounts of mistreatment by guards during their detention.
The latest claims made by participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla added to the growing scrutiny of Israel on Sunday for its treatment of the activists, a report by Al Jazeera said.
Some 450 participants in the flotilla were arrested between Wednesday and Friday as Israeli forces intercepted the boats, which were seeking to break a naval blockade of Gaza and deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Palestinians in the besieged territory.
Speaking at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport on his return on Sunday, Italian activist Cesare Tofani said, “We were treated terribly … From the army, we moved on to the police. There was harassment,” ANSA news agency reported.
Yassine Lafram, the president of the Union of Islamic Communities in Italy, who landed at Milan Malpensa Airport with the activists, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper: “They even treated us violently, pointing weapons at us, and this is absolutely unacceptable for us in a country that considers itself democratic.”
Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi, who landed at Fiumicino Airport late on Saturday, said Israeli soldiers had withheld medicines and treated the detained activists “like monkeys”, The Associated Press reported.
He said the Israeli guards mocked the detained activists – who included Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela, and several European lawmakers – in order to “demean, ridicule and laugh in situations where there is nothing to laugh about”.
Italian journalist Lorenzo D’Agostino said that his belongings and money had been “stolen by the Israelis”.
Speaking to AP on his arrival at Turkiye’s Istanbul Airport after being deported from Israel on Saturday, he said the detained activists were also intimidated with dogs and by soldiers pointing the laser sights of their guns at prisoners “to scare us”.
Another activist, Paolo De Montis, reported experiencing “constant stress and humiliation” at the hands of the guards, who kept him in a prison van for hours with his hands secured by zip ties.
“You weren’t allowed to look them in the face, always had to keep your head down and when I did look up, a man … came and shook me and slapped me on the back of the head,” he told AP. “They forced us to stay on our knees for four hours.”
Separately, Malaysian sisters and singers-actors Heliza Helmi and Hazwani Helmi, also described “brutal” and “cruel” treatment when detained by Israeli forces.
“Can you imagine we drank from the toilet water? Some people were very, very sick, but they [the Israelis] said: ‘Are they dead? If not, then that’s not my problem,'” Hazwani told Anadolu news agency after landing in Istanbul on Saturday. “They are very, very cruel people.”
Heliza also described going without 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.”
Deported activists from the flotilla had earlier spoken out about the mistreatment of Thunberg, one of the highest profile members of the mission, in particular, saying she had been “dragged on the ground”, “forced to kiss the Israeli flag”, and “used as propaganda”.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry and its far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir gave conflicting responses to the activists’ allegations, with the ministry insisting the stories of ill-treatment were “brazen lies”, while Ben-Gvir said he was “proud” of the detainees’ harsh treatment in Ketziot prison.
“I was proud that we treat the ‘flotilla activists’ as supporters of terrorism. Anyone who supports terrorism is a terrorist and deserves the conditions of terrorists,” he said in a statement.
“If any of them thought they would come here and receive a red carpet and trumpets – they were mistaken,” said Ben-Gvir, who was filmed taunting the activists as they were brought ashore.
“They should get a good feel for the conditions in Ketziot prison and think twice before they approach Israel again.”
By contrast, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said that claims of mistreatment of Thunberg and other flotilla activists were “lies”.
“All the detainees’ legal rights are fully upheld,” the ministry said in a post on X on Sunday.
“Interestingly enough, Greta herself and other detainees refused to expedite their deportation and insisted on prolonging their stay in custody. Greta also did not complain to the Israeli authorities about any of these ludicrous and baseless allegations – because they never occurred.”
Israel’s arrests and treatment of the activists led to criticism from countries including Pakistan, Turkiye and Colombia, and street protests around the world, as well as a written protest from Greece.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the country deported a further 29 flotilla activists on Sunday, but many remain in detention in Israel.
Spain’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Albares told public broadcaster RTVE that 21 of the 49 Spanish detained flotilla activists were expected to return home on Sunday; while Greece’s Foreign Ministry said 27 Greek citizens were to return from Israel on Monday.
Lawmakers from Türkiye and across Europe denounce Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla as a breach of international law and demand the immediate release of detained humanitarian volunteers
In Ankara, Türkiye, dozens of lawmakers from more than a dozen countries have issued an urgent appeal calling on Israel to immediately and unconditionally release the remaining detainees from the Global Sumud Flotilla, intercepted by the Israeli Navy in international waters on October 1.
The appeal—signed by over 80 parliamentarians and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)—describes the flotilla as an unarmed civilian convoy carrying “hope, not weapons,” and condemns Israel’s actions as “a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law.”
Among the signatories are Turkish MPs Sena Nur Çelik Kanat, Utku Çakırözer, Namik Tan, Faik Öztrak, Gökçe Gökçen, and Fethi Açıkel; from Europe, Saskia Kluit (Netherlands), George Loucaides (Cyprus), Irene Montero (Spain), Sacha Faxe (Denmark), Christophe LaCroix (Belgium), Laura Castel (Spain), Rima Hassan, Cecilia Strada, Brando Benifei, Leoluca Orlando, and Marco Tarquinio (European Parliament).
The signatories urged governments and international bodies to condemn Israel’s interception of the flotilla, which was en route to deliver food and medical supplies to Gaza, where over two million Palestinians face starvation, disease, and displacement amid what they described as “acts pointing to ethnic cleansing and genocide.”
“The Global Sumud Flotilla did not carry weapons—it carried hope,” the statement said. “To detain, humiliate, or prosecute these individuals is to criminalise compassion.”
More than 450 activists, journalists, and lawmakers from over 50 countries were detained when Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla. According to the appeal, 137 detainees have been deported to Türkiye and 171 to Greece and Slovakia, but several remain held in high-security prisons inside Israel, with no information about their legal status or welfare.
Reports from released detainees cite lack of medicine, unsanitary conditions, denial of legal counsel and consular access, and physical and psychological abuse—acts that, if verified, constitute serious breaches of international humanitarian law.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, along with its rapporteur on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, has already condemned Israel’s actions, recognising the flotilla’s civilian nature and demanding unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.
Amnesty International has called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of all flotilla volunteers, while press freedom organizations—Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)—have urged the release of detained journalists.
UN human rights experts under the Special Procedures mechanism have called for an independent and impartial international investigation into the incident, stressing the need for accountability and guarantees of non-repetition.
The lawmakers’ appeal calls on all governments and international organisations to:
1. Condemn the interception and detention of humanitarian civilians in international waters.
2. Secure the immediate release and protection of all detainees, ensuring medical care, legal counsel, and family contact.
3. Grant the ICRC and UN unrestricted access to detainees.
4. Launch an international inquiry into violations of humanitarian law.
5. Reaffirm the inviolability of humanitarian missions and protect future aid convoys to Gaza.
The signatories said the flotilla represents the moral courage of ordinary citizens acting where “many governments have failed.”
“History will remember not those who turned away,” the appeal concludes, “but those who sailed toward Gaza with nothing but conscience as their compass.”
We are parliamentarians from diverse countries and parties, united to end war crimes in Gaza and to protect and secure the release of flotilla volunteers.
We condemn Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters as a blatant breach of international law and urge governments to press for the immediate, unconditional release of remaining detainees, with protection from ill-treatment and guaranteed medical care, legal counsel and consular access.
On 1 October 2025, the Israeli Navy intercepted the flotilla—an unarmed humanitarian convoy of activists, journalists, lawmakers and civilian volunteers—en route to deliver food and medical aid to Gaza, where over two million civilians face starvation and displacement amid acts pointing to ethnic cleansing and genocide. More than 450 activists were detained; deportations continue (137 to Türkiye and 171 to Greece and Slovakia), yet many remain in a high-security prison with no clarity on their status.
Reports from released detainees cite lack of essential medicines, inadequate food and water, unsanitary conditions, humiliation, denial of counsel and consular access, and arbitrary delays—conduct that, if confirmed, breaches international humanitarian law.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the rapporteur on ‘the Humanitarian crisis for woman and children in Gaza’ condemned attacks against the convoy, recognised its civilian, non-violent character, and demanded unhindered humanitarian aid. Amnesty International demanded the “immediate and unconditional” release of volunteers. Press-freedom groups—CPJ, RSF and IFJ—called for the immediate release of journalists. UN Special Procedures urged an independent, impartial investigation.
We urge all governments, international organisations and the international community to:
i. Condemn interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and abduction/detention of humanitarian civilians in international waters.
ii. Secure the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining detainees, ensure their absolute protection from ill-treatment; and guarantee medical care, legal counsel and family/consular contact.
iii. Secure immediate, unhindered ICRC/UN access to all detainees.
iv. Establish an independent international investigation and ensure accountability for violations of international and humanitarian law.
v. Reaffirm the inviolability of humanitarian missions, protect future aid convoys, and sustain support for organisations alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla symbolised the moral courage of ordinary citizens acting where many governments have failed. To detain, humiliate, or prosecute these individuals is to criminalise compassion.
Signed:
Sena Nur Çelik Kanat (MP Türkiye)
Saskia Kluit (MP Netherlands)
George Loucaides (MP Cyprus)
Cat Eccles (MP United Kingdom)
Bisera Kostadinovska Stojchevska (MP North Macedonia)
Sacha Faxe (MP Denmark)
Christophe LaCroix (MP Belgium)
Maria Luz Martinez (MP Spain)
Ettore LICHERI (MP Italy)
Laura CASTEL (MP Spain)
Nataša SUKIČ (MP Slovenia)
Tineke Strik (MEP)
Benedetta Scuderi (MEP)
Ana Miranda (MEP)
Leoluca Orlando (MEP)
Cristiana Guarda (MEP)
Saskia Bricmont (MEP)
Maria Ohisalo (MEP)
Irene Montero (MEP)
Isabel Serra (MEP)
Daniel Attard (MEP)
Thijs Reuten (MEP)
Catarina Martins (MEP)
Rima Hassan (MEP)
MarcoTarquino (MEP)
Cecilia Strada (MEP)
Mimmo Lucano (MEP)
Allesandra Moretti (MEP)
Brando Benifei (MEP)
Vlad Voiculescu (MEP)
Caterina Vieira (MEP)
Lucia Annunziata (MEP)
Hana Jalloul (MEP)
Marc Botenga (MEP)
Irena Jovena (MEP)
Matjaž Nemec (MEP)
Cesar Luena (MEP)
Barry Andrews (MEP)
Abir Al-Sahlani (MEP)
Gökçe GÖKÇEN (MP Türkiye)
Zeynep Yıldırım (MP Türkiye)
Gala Veldhoen (MP Netherlands)
Fethi AÇIKEL (MP Türkiye)
Namik Tan (MP Türkiye)
Utku ÇAKIRÖZER (MP Türkiye)
Aysu BANKOĞLU (MP Türkiye)
Cemalettin Kani Torun (MP Türkiye)
Yunus Emre (MP Türkiye)
Meryem Göka (MP Türkiye)
Faik ÖZTRAK (MP Türkiye)
Abdurrahman Babacan (MP Türkiye)
Jale Nur SÜLLÜ (MP Türkiye)
Seda Gören Bölük (MP Türkiye)
Murat Cahit Cıngı (MP Türkiye)
Mustafa Canbey (MP Türkiye)
Pelin Yılık (MP Türkiye)
Sevan Sıvacıoğlu (MP Türkiye)
Tuğba Işık Ercan (MP Türkiye)
Derya Ayaydın (MP Türkiye)
Ceylan Akça Cupolo (MP Türkiye)
Büşra Paker (MP Türkiye)
Cevahir Uzkurt (MP Türkiye)
Fatma Öncü (MP Türkiye)
Alice BERNARD (MP Belgium)
Sevilay Çelenk ÖZEN (MP Türkiye)
Ayşegül DOĞAN (MP Türkiye)
Mehmet Akalin (MP Türkiye)
Alexandra Attalides (MP Cyprus)
GAVRIEL Yiannakis (MP Cyprus)
DAMIANOU Aristos (MP Cyprus)
KAFKALIAS Andreas (MP Cyprus)
KETTIROS Nicos (MP Cyprus)
KOUKOUMAS George (MP Cyprus)
KYPRIANOU Andros (MP Cyprus)
COSTA Costas (MP Cyprus)
NIKOLAOU Marina (MP Cyprus)
PASIOURTIDES Andreas (MP Cyprus)
STEFANOU Stefanos (MP Cyprus)
FAKONTIS Valentinos (MP Cyprus)
CHRISTOFIAS Christos (MP Cyprus)
CHRISTOPHIDES Christos (MP Cyprus)
Carla Moonen (MP Netherlands)
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