Flotilla activists allege mistreatment by Israelis

SOME of the activists detained while trying to reach Gaza by sea have returned to their home countries to describe mistreatment at the hands of Israeli guards.

- VERONICA ANDREA SAUCHELLI and ANDREW WILKS

Smoke rises over the Gaza Strip yesterday as Israeli bombardment continued

Some 450 activists were arrested as Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of 42 boats seeking to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza and deliver a symbolic amount of aid to the famine-stricken territory.

Those detained between Wednesday and Friday were brought to Israel, where many remain in prison.

Israel denies the claims.

The Israeli foreign ministry said it offered voluntary deportation to all of the activists and those that remain in detention chose to stay there in order to go through a legal deportation process.

On his return at Rome's Fiumicino Airport late on Saturday, Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi said Israeli soldiers withheld medicines and treated prisoners "like monkeys".

Israel's foreign ministry said the claims of mistreatment were "brazen lies".

Among those detained were Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela and several European legislators.

Mr Tommasi said Ms Thunberg was singled out by Israeli forces after being arrested.