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Flotilla Detention Statistics
Breakdown of the Global Sumud Flotilla detention status.
Primary Sources
Israeli Minister Posts Video Mocking Detained Gaza Flotilla Activists ...
Last Updated:May 20, 2026, 19:02 ISTThe activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sailed from Turkey last week in an attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza.Ben-Gvir shared the footage on X with the caption “Welcome to Israel”, showing detained activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs.Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked outrage after posting a video showing detained Gaza flotilla activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs.The footage, shared on X with the caption “Welcome to Israel", showed dozens of pro-Palestine activists on the deck of a military vessel while the Israeli national anthem played in the background. Some activists were seen face-down on the floor, while others were forced into a kneeling position during detention. advetisement In another part of the video, Ben-Gvir is seen smiling and waving an Israeli flag as security forces surround the detained activists. One clip appeared to show a woman being violently pinned to the ground by an Israeli soldier after shouting “Free Palestine".The activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sailed from Turkey last week in an attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza.Italy Demands Release Of Citizens Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly criticised the treatment of the activists, calling the scenes “unacceptable" and “intolerable".In a statement, Meloni said several Italian citizens were among those detained and demanded their immediate release. She also called on Israel to apologise over the incident.“It is intolerable that these protesters, among whom there are many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment, which violates human dignity," Meloni said.She further accused Israel of ignoring requests made by the Italian government regarding the safety and treatment of the activists.“Italy also demands an apology for the treatment inflicted on these demonstrators and for the total disregard shown towards the explicit requests of the Italian government," the Italian Prime Minister added.Israeli authorities has said around 430 activists aboard the flotilla were being taken to Israel following the interception. The Adalah rights group said some of the detainees had already arrived at Ashdod port and were being held there. advetisement top videosView All Trump Blasts Germany’s Merz as NATO Ally Says US ‘Humiliated’ by IRGC Amid Peace Talks With Iran |4KTrump Brandishes Gun in New Warning to Ira...
Ben-Gvir mocks detained Gaza flotilla activists as strike begins
Ben-Gvir mocks restrained Gaza flotilla detainees as hunger strike begins At least 87 Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel have launched a hunger strike, as Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir filmed himself taunting detainees. 3 min read 20 May, 2026 Last Update20 May, 2026 12:25 PM Ben-Gvir films himself mocking detained Gaza flotilla activists [Screenshot/X/@itamarbengvir] At least 87 Gaza-bound flotilla activists detained by Israel have launched a hunger strike in protest of their abduction and detention conditions, as Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir circulated footage of himself taunting restrained detainees held on the ground after the flotilla’s interception in international waters. The activists, from the Global Sumud Flotilla, announced the hunger strike late on Tuesday after Israeli forces seized the Lina al-Nabulsi, the final remaining vessel attempting to reach Gaza, and detained six activists onboard. Footage published by Ben-Gvir on Wednesday showed him walking among detainees restrained on the ground while shouting: "Welcome to Israel, we are the owners of this house." Another clip showed a female activist being violently thrown to the ground after chanting "Free Palestine", while an Israeli officer was heard telling her to "be quiet". "They came with a lot of arrogance. Look how they look now. Not heroes at all, but supporters of terrorism," Ben-Gvir said in the footage, while calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to keep the activists imprisoned "for a much longer period". The Global Sumud Flotilla said the detainees began the hunger strike "in protest of their illegal abduction and in solidarity with the over 9,500 Palestinian hostages held in Israeli dungeons". "We demand all hostages of the Israeli regime to be released," the movement added, urging governments to "speak out against this act of piracy". The Lina al-Nabulsi was the last of more than 50 vessels that departed from the Turkish port city of Marmaris last week as part of a campaign aimed at challenging Israel’s blockade on Gaza and delivering symbolic humanitarian aid. Israeli forces began intercepting and seizing boats from the flotilla in international waters off the coast of Cyprus on Monday, with organisers accusing Israeli troops of raiding vessels, firing rubber bullets and abducting participants. At least 428 activists from 44 nationalities taking part in the flotilla have now been abducted by Israel, according to orga...
Flotilla: Activists blindfolded and on their knees, Ben Gvir mocks ...
The first two Italians of the Flotilla will return this evening: they are the M5S parliamentarian Dario Carotenuto and the journalist from Fatto Quotidiano Alessandro Mantovani . Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani made the announcement to journalists at Villa Pamphili, the venue for the bilateral meeting between President Meloni and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The activists detained off the coast of Cyprus have arrived at the Israeli port of Ashdod , confirmed a spokesperson for Adalah, the NGO providing legal assistance to the mission's participants in Israel. "Our legal team will challenge the legality of these detentions and demand the immediate release of all" the activists, the NGO said in a statement. They were tied up and dragged into the port , while the Israeli national anthem blared over loudspeakers and masked police officers pushed them to the ground, forcing them to get down on all fours and dragging them across the floor. They were lined up inside a warehouse, forced to kneel with their faces to the ground, their hands tied behind their backs with zip ties . 430 people were arrested, including 30 Italians and two Sardinians, Ilaria Mancosu and Gianfranco Frongia . The former was aboard the vessel Amazon. Frongia, on the other hand, was part of the crew of Last Dream. The minister mocks and threatens Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also visited the port of Ashdod and released a video mocking the activists, who were handcuffed and blindfolded and kneeling: "This is how we welcome supporters of terrorism," he said. He also said: "Welcome to Israel, we are the masters, the people of Israel are alive." Another video shows an activist shouting "Free Palestine" as he is knocked to the ground by a police officer. Ben-Gvir refuses to release them: "I ask Netanyahu to hand them over to me for a long time; we'll put them in terrorist prisons," he said in another video, further mocking them. "They arrived with great pride, great heroes, and look how they look now. Not heroes or anything else, they're supporters of terrorism." And there's also a clash within Netanyahu's cabinet over the images released by Ben Gvir: "You are not the face of Israel," Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar attacks him. "With this shameful performance, you have knowingly harmed the country, and this is not the first time. You have undermined the enormous, professional, and successful efforts of so many people, from IDF soldiers to Foreign Ministry employees an...
Italy summons Israeli ambassador after 'unacceptable' video of Ben ...
2 hours ago ... Italy summons Israeli ambassador after 'unacceptable' video of Ben Gvir taunting flotilla activists ... taunting the detained activists as they kneel on ...
