Israel Releases Global Sumud Flotilla Activists Including Saad Edhi

Activists from the intercepted Gaza-bound Global Sumud aid flotilla have described harrowing accounts of torture, sexual assault, and systematic abuse by Israeli forces following their deportation. Upon arriving in Istanbul, several participants shared stories of what they termed relentlessly cruel treatment, providing a grim update to the incident that has already sparked a diplomatic row between Israel and several nations.

Multiple activists reported severe physical violence. New Zealand activist Mousa Taher said he was singled out, forced to strip, and bound so tightly with plastic zip ties that soldiers stepped on his hands. He alleges a soldier put a boot on his face for a photograph. American Gregory Terry stated many activists were repeatedly tased, suffered broken arms, and were forced to kneel for hours. Taher claims he was beaten unconscious on a prison-like ship, while others reported similar beatings.

Allegations of sexual assault and systematic torture were also made. Australian activist Juliet Lamont, who was on a previous mission, said the violence this time was “much more.” She described a prison boat where people were “systematically bashed and beaten,” resulting in at least 40 cases of broken ribs and 12 sexual assaults. The flotilla’s official account on X corroborated claims of at least 15 sexual assaults. Lamont recounted being sexually assaulted in a “torture chamber” by five men and tasered in the face.

Despite the ordeal, the activists remain defiant, vowing to continue their efforts to bring aid to Gaza. Mauritanian activist Isselmou Ould Maloum said the violence experienced was a “mere glimpse” of the brutality Palestinians face daily in Israeli prisons. The activists stressed their goal was to provide relief to Gazans and that their will has not been broken by what Lamont called a “planned campaign of violence” intended to deter them from returning.

All activists detained from the flotilla, including Pakistani philanthropist Saad Edhi and 37 French nationals, have now been deported from Israel. The incident continues to have diplomatic repercussions, with the French Foreign Ministry summoning a senior Israeli diplomat to protest a video released by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir that reportedly mocked the detainees. Paris has called discussions of potential sanctions against the minister “premature.”