Jerusalem, Israel. Israeli police on Wednesday detained activists who were aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, with footage showing detainees kneeling in rows with their hands tied behind their backs as a minister looked on. The images drew criticism from foreign leaders and from within Israel’s government.
Flotilla intercepted and activists detained
The activists were detained after their flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters on Tuesday and later taken to an Israeli port. The flotilla had set sail from southern Turkey and was making a renewed attempt to deliver aid to Gaza after earlier missions were also intercepted by Israel.
Aid delivery effort and blockade dispute
Organisers said they aimed to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian assistance, which aid bodies said remains in short supply despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in place since October 2025 that includes guarantees of increased aid. Israel says its naval blockade on Gaza is lawful.
Ben-Gvir video and reaction
Organisers said the detained activists numbered 430 people, including citizens of Italy and South Korea. Israel’s far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on X showing officers forcing an activist to the ground after she chanted “Free, free Palestine.”
The video also showed dozens of detained activists kneeling in rows with their hands zip-tied behind their backs at what appeared to be an outdoor Israeli port facility, while soldiers armed with long guns were seen patrolling the area from aboard a military vessel. In the video, Ben-Gvir walked by the activists carrying a large Israeli flag and said: “They came as big heroes. Look at them now. See how they look now, not heroes and not anything.”
What do you think the video of the detentions shows about how authorities handled the flotilla activists?
