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. Journalist and activist Mohammad Ozdemir, who took part in the flotilla, said Israel had once again shown its "terrorist face", adding that participants remained determined to "end this scourge step by step and quickly".
Another participant, Hussein Shuayb Ordu, said Israeli soldiers detained and mistreated those on board in the Mediterranean.
"They treated us in a way that is not befitting even animals. They crammed 200 people into containers and tortured them. Many of our friends are still injured," he said.
Katie Davidson, a food engineer based in the UK, said she had joined the mission after being unable to ignore the situation in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 72,000 Palestinians since October 2023.
"Israel acts boldly and arrogantly because it knows it will not be held accountable," she said.
Argentine MP Monica Schlottauer also accused Israeli forces of mistreatment, saying: "We were humiliated and subjected to psychological pressure, but we have not lost hope and will not lose hope, because our Palestinian brothers suffer this many times over."
She added: "The United States, the European Union, and all countries legitimise the policies of the Zionist state through their double standards."
According to reports, around 180 international activists were detained by Israeli naval forces, with most later transferred to Greek shores in coordination with Athens. Two activists, Saif Abu Khashk and Thiago Avila, were taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod for questioning.
The flotilla, described as the "Spring 2026 Mission", had set sail from the Italian island of Sicily on Sunday with the aim of breaking Israel’s blockade on Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid.
Fifty-nine people, including 18 Turkish nationals, were received on Friday at Istanbul Airport by Turkish officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Haci Ali Ozal and Hasan Turan, head of the Turkish-Palestinian parliamentary friendship group.
Osman Nuri Kabaktepe, head of the "Support Palestine" platform, addressed the returning activists at a press conference, saying: "We thank you on behalf of all civil society organisations that have long sought the freedom of Jerusalem and Palestine."
He added: "We will continue to stand firm for a free Palestine."
The incident has drawn renewed attention to the risks faced by activists attempting to challenge the blockade on Gaza, as well as the broader tensions surrounding access to the territory.