ROME (AP) – Several activists detained while they were about to arrive in Gaza by sea have returned to their homeland to explain abuse and humiliation at the hands of Israeli security guards.
Approximately 450 activists have been arrested as Israeli forces intercepted Global SUMUD FLOTILLAa fleet of 42 boats attempting to break the Navy Blockade of Gaza in Israel and provide symbolic aid to hungered territory. Those detained between Wednesday and Friday were brought to Israel, where many remained in prison.
Italian journalist Saverio Tonmasi said Israeli soldiers withheld drugs and treated prisoners “like a monkey.”
“This is called torture. Torture, denial of human rights, even the most basics are called torture,” he returned to Japan late Saturday at Rome’s Fiumicino airport.
“They took everyone’s medicine. Heart disease, asthma, even an 86-year-old man, they took his inhaler.”
Among those detained were Swedish activists. Greta Samberggrandson of Nelson Mandela Mandramundella Several European lawmakers.
Tonmar said Sambag was chosen by the Israeli army after he was arrested.
“We also saw Greta Samberg at the port, where she tied her arms and the Israeli flag raised the flag next to her. “Let’s say ock ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, let’s say ock ha ha ha, suppose in situations where we didn’t laugh, and then we were part of the verbal and psychological violence they always carried out to give in, ridd laughing and laughing.”
The image, taken from a video released by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, claims to show activist Greta Samberg to the right as she was deleted after the Israeli Navy intercepted a global smooth fleet carrying humanitarian aid towards Gaza on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
The intestines of the fleet came when it appeared to be mediating US President Donald Trump Fresh Peace Initiative In Gaza, including the proposed ceasefire as he ordered Israel to stop the bombing of Gaza.
Another Italian journalist, Lorenzo Dagostino, said the detainees woke up repeatedly during their two nights behind the bar. They were also threatened by the dogs, and the soldiers pointed the prisoner’s gun laser sight to “scarry us.”
“Overall, I felt I was being held captive by terrorist groups,” he said after landing on Saturday at Istanbul airport, where 137 activists from Israel arrived.
D’Agostino added that his belongings and money were “stolen by the Israelites.”
Activist Paolo de Montis said he was stuffed into a prison van for hours with his hands locked in with a zip tie.
“Continuous stress and humiliation,” he said. “You weren’t allowed to look at your face and you had to bow your head all the time, so when I looked up, a man came and shook me and slapped me into the back of your head.”
The Israeli Navy ship will sail next to two small boats in the Mediterranean Sea near the Port of Ashdod, Israel on Thursday, October 2, 2025 (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
In a statement, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gwil said he was “prideful” at the way staff members acted at Ketziot Prison, a facility in the Negev desert.
“We were proud to treat ‘fleet activists’ as supporters of terrorism. Anyone who supports terrorism is a terrorist and deserves the conditions of a terrorist,” he said.
“If you thought they’d come here and receive the red carpet and the trumpet, they were wrong. They should feel good about the situation in Ketziot’s prison, and think twice before approaching Israel again.”
Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the allegations of abuse were “a brave lie.”
In a statement on social media, the department said the legal rights of all detainees were “fully supported,” adding that Samberg “did not complain about the ridiculous, unfounded allegations.”
The arrests have led to criticism from several governments, including Türkiye, Colombia and Pakistan. Greece, which had 27 citizens in Israel’s custody, issued a “strong written protest” to Israel over the “unacceptable inappropriate behaviour of Israel’s ministers.”
The complaint is thought to refer to the footage of Ben Gwil, who trains activists They supported “terrorism” and laughed at their aid initiative after landing at a port in southern Ashdod on Friday.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry said “we acted intensively to ensure that the rights of detained Swedes were observed.”
The interception of the fleet also led to large scale. Demonstration in cities around the world.
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Wilkes reported from Istanbul. The contributions were made by Associated Press writers Natalie Merzer of Tel Aviv, Elena Becatros of Israel and Athens, Stephanie Dazio of Greece and Berlin, and Halil Hamra of Istanbul.
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