15 Gaza flotilla activists report sexual assault while detained by Israel

Fifteen Gaza flotilla activists report sexual assault after being detained by Israel. Activists freed from Israeli detention report alleged sexual assault including rape. They say they were stripped of their clothes and subjected to violence.

According to Al Jazeera, on Friday (22 May 2026), organisers Global Sumud Flotilla said several activists were treated in hospital after their release. Then, 15 people reported sexual assaults, including rape.

Israeli forces are believed to have abducted at least 430 people from 50 ships in international waters a few days ago as the flotilla moved to block the armada from delivering aid to Gaza.

‘At least 15 cases of sexual assault, including rape. Shot with rubber bullets from close range. Dozens of bones broken,’ the organisers wrote on Telegram.

‘Swhile the world’s eyes are fixed on the suffering of our participants, we cannot stress enough that this is only a glimpse of the brutality Israel carries out every day against Palestinian hostages,’ they added.

An Italian economist, Luca Poggi, who was detained aboard the armada ship, told Reuters: ‘We were stripped of our clothes, thrown to the ground, kicked. Many of us were shocked with electric stun devices, some experienced sexual abuse, and some were denied access to lawyers’.

Italian prosecutors are currently investigating possible crimes, including kidnapping, torture, and sexual abuse.