Participants from the Global Sumud Flotilla, who arrived in Istanbul following their detention by Israeli forces, alleged they were subjected to widespread abuse, torture and sexual violence after the interception of their vessel, including close range rubber bullets, tasers, stun grenades, prolonged stress positions, forced removal of hijabs, humiliating strip searches and sexual assault, according to testimonies released by the group.
The flotilla said some of the most serious allegations centred on a naval vessel participants referred to as the “torture boat,” which they described as a makeshift detention site built with barbed wire and metal shipping containers where detainees allegedly faced severe violence and abuse.
Participant Yassine Benjelloun described his experience, saying, “I started getting hit, first on the head, then the ribs. I fell, they kicked me, and I heard people screaming around me.”
French participant Adrien Berthel alleged he was singled out for humiliation and beatings after soldiers noticed he was wearing nail polish and made assumptions about his sexuality.
Veronica Otero, who said she witnessed the processing of detainees over three days, alleged that nearly everyone detained suffered injuries. “There were broken ribs, fractures and people struggling to breathe. Nobody walked away unharmed,” she said.
Participants alleged at least 12 incidents of sexual assault on the vessel. Multiple detainees also alleged they were photographed during strip searches while guards laughed.
GSF stated that violence continued at Ashdod port, where detainees allegedly faced beatings, sexual humiliation, harsh interrogations and prolonged stress positions.
“A Fraction of What Palestinians Endure”
The flotilla stated that the abuses experienced by international activists reflected the conditions faced by Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention facilities.
According to human rights organisations, more than 9,000 Palestinians are currently imprisoned by Israel, including over 3,500 held under administrative detention without charge or trial. More than 400 detained Palestinians are children, GFS said.
Participant Catríona Graham said, “What we experienced was a tiny percentage of what Palestinians in Israeli prisons experience every single day.”
Calls for International Action
The Global Sumud Flotilla called for an independent international investigation into the interception and treatment of detainees, including allegations of torture and rape. The group also called for unrestricted Red Cross access to Palestinian prisoners, sanctions against Israel for alleged violations of international law, and an immediate end to the blockade of Gaza.