Israeli forces accused of sexual violence against detained Gaza aid flotilla activists

Israeli forces sexually assaulted at least 12 activists detained from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, according to a statement issued Thursday by Global Sumud Flotilla, the coalition organizing the convoy. Israel has denied the allegations.

The group claimed most of the reported assaults occurred aboard a single Israeli vessel after troops intercepted 50 ships in international waters on Tuesday, detaining 430 people attempting to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza. Activists also described being beaten and subjected to stun gun shocks.

Israel’s Prison Service dismissed the accusations as “false and entirely baseless” in a statement to Reuters, which had directed queries from the Israeli military to the agency. German officials confirmed some of its citizens were injured in the operation but provided no further details, while Italian prosecutors announced an investigation into potential crimes including kidnapping and sexual abuse.

Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs called the allegations “serious” and urged a criminal investigation. “Excessive and unnecessary use of force has been evident in this detention operation,” said Jussi Tanner, head of the ministry’s consular department. Finnish authorities have requested statements from the three Finnish nationals detained; two have submitted confidential accounts.

Earlier this week, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released a video showing humiliated activists, which drew widespread condemnation, including from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.