9 resultsfor “sexual assault reports flotilla activists”
sexual assault in Israeli detention Organisers of a [Gaza-bound aid flotilla](/news/2026/5/21/outrage-over-israels-ben-gvir-flotilla-abuse-video-what-we-know) say freed foreign activists who were abducted from international waters, faced abuse while in Israeli detention, including at least 15 reporting
sexual assault and rape in Israeli detention Activists [released from Israeli custody](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/21/uk-israel-video-itama-ben-gvir) after being detained on a flotilla trying to take aid to Gaza were subjected to abuse, organisers have alleged, with
activists after organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla said at least 15 detainees reported incidents of sexual assault
Activists said they [experienced abuse](/news/2026/5/22/gaza-flotilla-activists-allege-abuse-sexual-assault-in-israeli-detention) during their detention. Their accounts reflect those of [previous flotilla members](/news/2025/10/1/israeli-forces-board-gaza-flotilla-detain-greta-thunberg-other-activists), who also alleged mistreatment and abuse in Israeli custody. [At least 15](/news/2026/5/25/australian-gaza-aid-flotilla-activists-allege-abuse-after-israeli-abduction) have reported sexual assault
flotilla said the activists, who were kidnapped from international waters, faced abuse while in Israeli detention, including at least 15 reporting incidents of sexual assault
reporters that four of the 44 Spanish activists had received medical treatment for injuries. Organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla also said on Friday: "At least 15 cases of sexual assaults
reports that at least 15 activists had been [subjected to sexual assault](/news/2026/5/22/gaza-flotilla-activists-allege-abuse-sexual-assault-in-israeli-detention) during detention – triggered the most significant [international diplomatic backlash](/news/2026/5/21/how-ben-gvirs-flotilla-video-shattered-israels-multimillion-hasbara) against Israel in recent weeks. France banned Ben-Gvir from entering
sexual assault. Another two, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila, were forcibly taken to Israel, where they faced terrorism charges and were beaten and tortured while in detention. Both undertook hunger strikes in protest until
sexual abuse, during past interceptions by Israeli officials. Organisers have also accused Israeli naval forces of firing “rubber bullets” at activists during the latest interception, which occurred in international waters. Activists fear the sanctions