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A Swiss humanitarian group, Waves of Freedom Switzerland (WOFA), claims that activists on an aid flotilla were subjected to “cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment” while being held by Israeli forces after attempting to breach the maritime blockade of Gaza.
The WOFA said Tuesday that Israeli forces carried out “illegal and shameful attacks” on the flotilla before detaining hundreds of participants in what it described as a clear violation of international law.
“It subjected our citizens to cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment, as defined in the International Convention against Torture, both physically and psychologically,” WOFA said in a statement.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which included 19 Swiss nationals, was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters on October 1.
The flotilla had set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the United Nations says famine conditions have deepened amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign.
Israeli police reported that more than 470 people were arrested from the flotilla. WOFA said nine Swiss nationals have since been released, while ten remain in detention, though their release was expected later on Tuesday.
The NGO accused Israel of subjecting detainees to sleep deprivation, denial of food, water, and medical care, and verbal and psychological abuse. Some were allegedly handcuffed for long periods, while others were beaten, slapped, and confined in cages, the group said.
WOFA also claimed that “essential medicines, including insulin for diabetics, were withheld,” adding that the accounts were being documented for submission to judicial authorities “with a view to initiating legal proceedings.”
Israel has rejected allegations of mistreatment, insisting that the detainees’ rights were respected throughout the process.
However, similar reports have emerged from activists of other nationalities.
Yasemin Acar, a German participant, told reporters upon arriving in Greece on Monday that detainees “were beaten, threatened, and left under the sun with their hands cuffed behind them,” adding that they were denied food and water for the first 48 hours.
WOFA said it would continue to seek accountability for what it called “serious violations committed against Swiss citizens and other humanitarian volunteers.”
