ISTANBUL: International activists who arrived in Istanbul after being deported from Israel following the military’s interception of their Gaza-bound flotilla said on Saturday they had been subjected to violence and “treated like animals.” The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail last month seeking to ferry aid to war-battered Gaza, but Israel blocked the boats, detaining more than 400 people whom it began deporting on Friday. Of that number, 137 activists from 13 countries arrived in Istanbul on Saturday, including 36 Turkish nationals.

Activists on board Global Sumud Flotilla report interceptions after Israeli vessels approached.

The international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza said early on Thursday that Israeli navy forces were using "active aggression" on their fleet.