Activists Speak Out: Israeli Detention Leaves Gaza Flotilla Participants Traumatized

More Gaza Flotilla Activists Allege Mistreatment in Israeli Detention TEL AVIV, Israel - Dozens of international activists who were deported from Israel after joining an intercepted Gaza aid flotilla have come forward with allegations of mistreatment by Israeli guards during their detention. The latest claims, made by participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla, add to the growing scrutiny of Israel's treatment of the activists. Some 450 participants were arrested between Wednesday and Friday as Israeli forces intercepted the boats, which were seeking to break a naval blockade of Gaza and deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Palestinians in the besieged territory. Speaking at Rome's Fiumicino Airport on his return Sunday, one activist, who wished to remain anonymous, described being subjected to "invasive" body searches and being held in overcrowded cells. "It was like they were trying to break our spirits," he said. Another activist, a Swedish national who asked not to be named, echoed similar concerns. "We were treated like animals, not human beings," she alleged. "The conditions were inhumane, with no access to basic necessities like food and water." The allegations of mistreatment come as the international community continues to condemn Israel's interception of the flotilla. The United Nations has called for an investigation into the incident, while several countries have issued statements expressing concern over the treatment of the activists. Israel has maintained that its actions were necessary to prevent a breach of the naval blockade, which it claims is essential for maintaining security in the region. However, critics argue that the blockade is a form of collective punishment and has had devastating effects on the Gaza Strip's economy and civilian population. As the situation continues to unfold, human rights groups are calling for greater transparency and accountability from Israel. "The allegations of mistreatment are disturbing and raise serious concerns about Israel's commitment to upholding human rights," said a spokesperson for Amnesty International. The Global Sumud Flotilla was part of a larger effort to challenge the naval blockade and bring attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The flotilla's organizers have vowed to continue their efforts, despite the setbacks they faced during this latest attempt. In related news, several countries have announced plans to send aid shipments to Gaza via land routes, bypassing the naval blockade. The move is seen as a response to the growing international pressure on Israel to ease its restrictions on the territory. As the situation continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the debate over Israel's treatment of the activists and the blockade itself will only continue to intensify in the coming days. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*