‘Treated Like Animals, Forced to Kneel’: Deported Gaza Flotilla Activists Detail Shocking Abuse by Israeli Forces

Dozens of international activists deported from Israel landed in Istanbul on Saturday, recounting harrowing tales of violence and abuse after their Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters.

“We were treated like animals,” said Paolo Romano, an Italian regional councillor, upon arriving in Istanbul. “They forced us to kneel, face down. If we moved, they hit us. They laughed, insulted, and beat us,” he told AFP.

The activists, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla — a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza — described being handcuffed, beaten, denied food, water, and medicine, and held under brutal prison conditions. Several said they faced both physical and psychological abuse.

Romano claimed Israeli authorities tried to coerce them into admitting that they had entered Israel illegally. “But we never entered Israel. We were in international waters — it was our right to be there,” he said. After being detained, the group was taken to prison, where they were denied bottled water and subjected to intimidation. “They would open the doors at night, shouting with guns to scare us,” Romano recalled.

‘Worst experience of my life’

Malaysian activist Iylia Balqis, 28, described the ordeal as “the worst experience” she had ever faced. “We were handcuffed with our hands behind our backs, made to lie face down, denied water, and some were refused medicine,” she said.

Italian journalist Lorenzo D’Agostino, who was covering the flotilla’s mission, said, “We were kidnapped in international waters, 55 miles (88 kilometres) from Gaza. It was two hellish days in prison. We’re free now thanks to international pressure in support of Palestine.”

Libyan activist Malik Qutait vowed to continue his efforts. “I’m not afraid. I’ll regroup, collect medicine and aid, get another ship, and try again,” he said.

The deported activists were flown to Istanbul aboard a specially chartered Turkish Airlines flight.