Activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have accused Israeli authorities of subjecting them to electric shocks and severe abuse while in custody, according to testimonies gathered by the Israeli rights group Adalah, according to Anadolu Agency.
In a statement released Wednesday, Adalah said its legal team documented consistent accounts from detainees describing repeated use of electric shocks, along with physical and psychological mistreatment. At least three activists were reportedly hospitalized with serious injuries, while others are believed to have suffered broken ribs and breathing problems after violent treatment.
The group also described humiliating conditions during the activists’ transfer to Ashdod Port. Detainees said they were forced into painful positions, including walking while bent forward and kneeling for long periods. Female activists also reported that their headscarves were forcibly removed.
The flotilla, known as the Global Sumud aid mission, was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters as it attempted to reach Gaza. Those detained are expected to appear before Israeli authorities for legal review ahead of possible deportation.
Adalah further accused Israel of following what it called a “criminal policy of abuse and humiliation.” The criticism came after a video shared online by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir appeared to show activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs while the Israeli national anthem played.
The rights group also raised concerns about limited access to information regarding the detainees’ condition, location, and legal status.
The flotilla had set sail last week from Marmaris, Turkey, in an effort to challenge Israel’s long-standing blockade on Gaza. Similar attempts have faced force in the past, including an incident in April when Israeli forces intercepted boats near Crete.
Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since 2007, a policy widely criticized for worsening humanitarian conditions in the densely populated territory.
