Gaza flotilla activists: Israel treated us ‘worse than animals’
Activists from intercepted Gaza flotilla arrive in Türkiye
The New Arab reports on 2 May 2026:
Activists who were aboard a Gaza-bound pro-Palestinian aid flotilla have accused Israeli forces of attacking and detaining them in international waters, describing their treatment as “not befitting even animals”.
The activists, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, arrived at Istanbul Airport after being intercepted violently by Israeli forces late on Wednesday as they sailed towards the Gaza Strip. The boats were stopped in international waters near Greece.
Over 50 vessels had set sail from ports in France, Italy, and Spain in a move to express solidarity with Palestinians and break the siege on Gaza. Earlier this week, organisers said that the Israeli army had “kidnapped” 211 activists in the raid.
Organisers also described the interception as an act of piracy, while activists on board said their vessels were attacked with “semi-automatic weapons”.
Participants on the flotilla said they were kicked, punched, dragged across the floor with tied hands, and shot at, with reports stating 34 wounded activists have been taken to hospital in Crete, some of them suffering from broken bones