Current sectionIsrael NewsIsrael SecurityActivists released after being detained on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla say they were subject to humiliating strip searches, sexual harassment, and denied basic conditions while in custody. Germany and Italy reported several activists returned with injuries and had to undergo medical inspectionsShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeAn activist from the Global Sumud Flotilla is carried on a wheel stretcher upon her arrival at Istanbul Airport, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday. Credit: Emrah Gurel/AP An activist from the Global Sumud Flotilla is carried on a wheel stretcher upon her arrival at Istanbul Airport, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday. Credit: Emrah Gurel/AP Activists released from Israeli custody after being detained on a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza were subjected to abuse, organizers said on Friday, with several hospitalised with injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape.Israel's prison service denied the allegations, and Reuters was not able to verify them independently.Germany said some ‌of its nationals 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.Haaretz Podcast'Sounding the alarm': Inside a deepening crisis as American Jewish support for Israel erodes on left and rightHaaretz Podcast'Sounding the alarm': Inside a deepening crisis as American Jewish support for Israel erodes on left and righttotal-- : --time0:00Israeli forces arrested 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.Israeli soldiers are seen on a vessel bearing symbols of the Global Sumud Flotilla, with a cargo ship behind it, as seen from Ashdod, southern Israel, Tuesday. Credit: Amir Cohen/ReutersIsraeli soldiers are seen on a vessel bearing symbols of the Global Sumud Flotilla, with a cargo ship behind it, as seen from Ashdod, southern Israel, Tuesday. Credit: Amir Cohen/Reuters"The allegations raised are false and entirely without factual basis," an Israeli prison service spokesperson said in a statement."All prisoners and detainees are held in accordance with the law, with full regard for their basic rights and under the supervision of professional and trained prison staff," it said. "Medical care is provided according to professional medical judgment and in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines."The Israeli military referred queries to the foreign ministry, which referred them to the prison service.The allegations of abuse will add to pressure on Israeli authorities to explain ⁠the treatment of the detainees, after a video of an Israeli cabinet minister in a prison mocking some of the activists sparked an international outcry."We're very concerned by these reports," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said when asked about the allegations at a regular briefing on Friday.Allegations of sexual abuseGlobal Sumud Flotilla, the organizers of the aid shipment, said the group had documented at least 15 cases of sexual abuse, with the worst occurring on one Israeli landing craft which had been converted into a makeshift prison with barbed wire and shipping containers.Detainees were thrown into the containers and beaten over the head and ribs, the group said in a statement.They suffered multiple cases of sexual abuse, including "humiliating strip searches, sexual taunting, groping and pulling of genitals, and multiple accounts of rape.""At least 12 sexual assaults have been documented on that vessel alone, including anal rape and forcible penetration by a handgun," it added.The statement was released after the Israeli prison service's blanket denial of mistreatment, rape and sexual assault allegations. Reuters sent the additional specific allegations to the prison service but did not receive a reply after hours on Friday, a holiday in Israel.Mi Hoa Lee, an activist from Spain, said she was forced into the darkened container on the ship, according to a video interview included with the flotilla's statement."Four men started beating me in the face against the wall, and I fell down and then stood up again, again ‌to the floor, ⁠stood up again, and they started tasering me for more than one minute," she said, pointing to her ribcage, hips and back where she said they applied the taser."Then they kept beating me until I almost lost my conscience," she added. The injuries of an Italian activist, who said they were caused by guards at the detention facility, who reportedly kicked and pushed them if they moved or spoke, Thursday. Credit: Gaza Freedom Flotilla/ReutersThe injuries of an Italian activist, who said they were caused by guards at the detention facility, who reportedly kicked and pushed them if they moved or spoke, Thursday. Credit: Gaza Freedom Flotilla/ReutersIlaria Mancosu, an Italian activist, told Reuters the flotilla members were removed from their boats to two so-called prison ships. Those put on one of the ships suffered more violence than the other, she said. They were locked in a container and beaten by five soldiers, suffering fractures to the ribs and arms. Some had serious injuries to their eyes and ears caused by tasers.She said they spent two days on the prison ships with no running water and used cardboard and plastic to keep warm at night, since they had no blankets and ⁠were stripped of most of their clothes. Once on land they were made to kneel for several hours and kicked and shoved if they moved or spoke. They were then taken to a prison where they were moved from room to room periodically to keep them from sleeping, she said.Rome prosecutors investigating possible crimesRome prosecutors are investigating the possible crimes of kidnapping, torture and sexual assault and will hear testimony from activists who have returned to Italy over the coming days, the Italian legal source said.A German Foreign Ministry ⁠spokesperson said consular officials who met German activists on their arrival in Istanbul reported that a number had injuries and were undergoing medical checks."We naturally expect a full explanation, as some of the allegations that have been made are serious", the spokesperson said. Activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla chant slogans upon their arrival at Istanbul Airport, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday. Credit: Emrah Gurel/AP Activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla chant slogans upon their arrival at Istanbul Airport, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday. Credit: Emrah Gurel/AP Sabrina Charik, who helped organize the return of 37 French citizens from the flotilla, told Reuters five French participants had been hospitalised in Turkey, some with broken ribs or fractured vertebrae. Some had made detailed accusations of sexual violence, ⁠including rape, she said.In an Instagram post by an activist group verified by Reuters, French national Adrien Jouen showed bruises across his back and on his forearms.Western governments on Thursday had expressed their anger after Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video of himself mocking activists being pinned to the ground in a prison.Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he was in touch with all his EU counterparts "so that there may be a quick decision to impose sanctions" on Ben-Gvir.In the NewsFreed Gaza Flotilla Activists Report Sexual Abuse in Israeli CustodyA Reckless Leader May Be What Israel Needs Right NowArgentine Official Who Probed Death of AMIA Prosecutor Charged With Cover-upGaza Board of Peace Envoy: Israel to Enact Trump's Plan After Hamas DisarmsHunter Biden and Candace Owens Trade Conspiracies on Israel, the 'Epstein Class'Remembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIICC Prosecutor Seeks Warrants for Ben-Gvir, Smotrich, Other Israeli OfficialsBen-Gvir Posts Video of Police Dragging Detained Gaza Flotilla ActivistsThe Most Consequential Republican Primary for Israel Is Happening in KentuckyIsraeli Settler Filmed Abusing Palestinian-owned Dog in West BankUnmoved by Trump's Ticking Clock, Iran Forms a New Reality in the Persian Gulf`World Leaders Summon Israeli Envoys Over Ben-Gvir Gaza Flotilla Activists Video