31 Activists Injured and Horrific Details of Occupation's Ill-Treatment of Detainees in 'Freedom Flotilla'

Field sources reported that 31 international activists were injured as a result of an aggression carried out by the Israeli navy against the "Global Freedom Flotilla" in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. The flotilla was en route to the besieged Gaza Strip with the aim of delivering urgent humanitarian aid, before Israeli forces intercepted its path off the Greek island of Crete.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the arrest of 175 activists who were on board more than 20 boats that were seized by force in the open sea. The sources explained that the military attack targeted boats carrying solidarity activists of various nationalities, resulting in varying injuries among the participants who tried to resist the boarding operation.

According to a statement issued by the Flotilla's administration, the list of injured included 4 activists from New Zealand and Australia, and 3 from Italy and the United States. Injuries also affected activists from Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, Britain, Colombia, and Germany, in addition to participants from Hungary, Ukraine, France, Poland, and Portugal, reflecting the wide international diversity of the mission.

The statement revealed shocking details regarding the ill-treatment suffered by the detainees on board Israeli navy ships for nearly 40 hours. The activists confirmed that they were deprived of sufficient food and water, and were forced to remain in harsh conditions that included sleeping on floors that the occupation forces deliberately wet with water to increase their suffering.

The boarding operation witnessed excessive use of violence, especially when activists tried to prevent the arrest of activist Saif Abu Kishk, a Palestinian of Spanish nationality, and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila. One participant recounted his testimony, confirming that he was kicked, punched, and dragged on the ground, indicating the possibility of suffering fractures to his nose and ribs as a result of the direct physical assault.

Logistically, the flotilla, which set sail under the name "Spring Mission 2026," included about 345 participants from 39 countries, sailing on board 55 boats from the Italian island of Sicily. Reports indicated that the Israeli army managed to detain 21 boats, while 17 boats succeeded in taking refuge in Greek territorial waters, and 14 other boats are still trying to sail in the area.

In the context of international reactions, the Greek government announced that it did not have the authority to intervene militarily against the attack because it occurred in international waters northwest of Crete. The Greek government spokesman confirmed that Israel did not coordinate or consult Athens before carrying out the operation, which drew widespread criticism from the Greek opposition, which accused the government of silent complicity.

On Friday evening, a private plane arrived at Istanbul Airport carrying 59 activists who were released by the occupation authorities after two days of abuse. This initiative is the second of its kind for the "Global Freedom Flotilla," after a previous attempt in September 2025 also ended with a violent Israeli attack and the arrest of hundreds of international solidarity activists before their deportation.

These developments come at a time when the occupation continues its strict siege on the Gaza Strip since 2007, which has catastrophically worsened during the ongoing war of extermination since October 2023. Israeli military operations have led to the destruction of infrastructure and homes, leaving about 1.5 million Palestinians homeless amidst extremely complex humanitarian and health conditions.

Official statistics indicate that the war of extermination has so far resulted in the martyrdom of more than 72,000 and the injury of more than 172,000 Palestinians. The Freedom Flotilla aims, through these sea voyages, to highlight this suffering and break the imposed siege that prevents the access of essential medical and food supplies to the besieged population.

The organizers of the flotilla affirmed that Israeli violence will not deter international solidarity activists from continuing their efforts to break the siege. They pointed out that targeting activists in international waters is a blatant violation of international law and the law of the sea, calling on the international community to hold the occupation authorities accountable for their repeated aggressions against humanitarian convoys.

In conclusion of their statement, the flotilla organizers stressed the need for immediate intervention to protect the remaining boats still sailing in the area, and to ensure the safety of activists who are still in detention. They called on international human rights organizations to document the testimonies of activists regarding torture and ill-treatment for use in international legal prosecutions against the leaders of the occupation.

"They kicked and punched us, and dragged us on the ground. We even heard gunshots at people as they tried to protect their colleagues from arrest."