Report details further allegations that Gaza flotilla activists were abused by Israel

The New York Times published an investigation expanding allegations of physical and sexual abuse by Israeli forces against Gaza flotilla activists detained in May 2026. The report interviewed 24 activists, with 22 reporting physical assault and one alleging rape. Israel denies all claims, calling them 'an outright lie.'

The New York Times published an investigation on Friday detailing further allegations of physical and sexual abuse by Israeli forces against Gaza flotilla activists. The activists were detained at sea by Israeli naval forces beginning May 18, 2026, as they attempted to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. Over 430 activists from around the world were detained and briefly jailed in Israel before being deported. The investigation interviewed 24 activists, 23 on the record, and reviewed medical records with consent. Of those, 22 said they were physically assaulted, one witnessed an assault, and a doctor said she treated the wounded. Allegations include beatings, taser shocks, rubber bullets, and sexual assault. Seven claimed hospitalization, with six providing medical records indicating fractured ribs, a fractured vertebrae, a broken coccyx, a firearm wound, and a collapsed lung. Australian activist Juliet Lamont, 55, alleged she was raped in a shipping container on the prison boat. Israel has denied all allegations, with the foreign ministry dismissing Lamont's claim as 'an outright lie' and the prison service calling the accusations 'entirely without factual basis.' Italy and France have opened probes into the actions of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who posted a video taunting the activists. The flotilla was organized by Turkish aid organization IHH, which Israel designates as a terror organization.