Pro-Palestinian activists deported after Israeli forces intercepted their Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters have alleged they were subjected to abuse while in detention. More than 50 boats set sail from Turkey as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla aiming to challenge Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza before being boarded west of Cyprus and taken to the port of Ashdod. Israel later deported 422 people from 41 countries.

Several governments said their citizens reported mistreatment. Canada cited 'appalling abuse' of its nationals, while Germany and Spain confirmed that some activists returned home with injuries. Organisers of the flotilla alleged at least 15 cases of sexual assault, as well as beatings and injuries caused by rubber bullets. Individual activists from France, Italy and the United Kingdom described being beaten, sexually assaulted or otherwise mistreated.

An Israel-based rights group representing detainees said it documented widespread complaints of extreme violence and reported that at least three people required hospital treatment. Israel’s prison service rejected the allegations as false, stating that all detainees were held in accordance with the law and received appropriate medical care. The Israeli military has been contacted for comment, and the allegations have not been independently verified.