Israeli police make Gaza flotilla activists kneel with hands tied, sparks outcry

Israeli police forced activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla to kneel with their hands tied behind their backs on Wednesday. The action sparked outrage from foreign leaders and members of Israel's own government.

The activists had been aboard a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid toward Gaza, as aid groups continue to warn of deep shortages despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States in October 2025. Organisers said the mission sought to challenge Israel's blockade and draw global attention to conditions inside the enclave. Israel, meanwhile, said that the naval blockade remains legal under international law.

The video was posted online by far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which showed detained activists kneeling on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs as armed personnel guarded the area nearby. In one moment from the footage, officers push an activist to the ground after she shouts, "Free, free Palestine," while others remain lined up beside her.

"They came as big heroes," Ben-Gvir says while walking past detainees with an Israeli flag in hand. "Look at them now. See how they look now, not heroes and not anything."

Instead of strengthening Israel's position internationally, the video opened cracks within the government itself. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rebuked Ben-Gvir accused him of damaging the country's image after what he described as careful diplomatic efforts by soldiers and officials.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also appeared uneasy with the optics. While defending Israel's right to stop the flotilla, Netanyahu said the treatment shown in the footage was "not in line with Israel's values and norms".

PRESSURE BUILDS ON ISRAEL

The diplomatic fallout was immediate.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described Ben-Gvir's conduct as "inadmissible" after reports confirmed Italian citizens, including a lawmaker and a journalist, were among those detained. Rome demanded explanations from Israel and summoned the Israeli ambassador.

In South Korea, President Lee Jae Myung questioned the legal grounds for intercepting and detaining civilians in international waters.

"What is the legal basis (for the arrests)? Is it Israeli territorial waters?" Lee asked. "Is that Israeli land? If there is conflict, can they seize and detain third-country vessels?"

Turkey, whose southern coast served as the flotilla's departure point, condemned abuse against activists and said efforts were underway to secure the release of its nationals.

Meanwhile, France, Canada, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands summoned Israeli diplomats over the incident, turning what Israel may have viewed as a contained security operation into a widening diplomatic dispute.

FOCUS TURNS BACK TO GAZA

The incident has again drawn attention to Gaza's humanitarian crisis.

Most of Gaza's population remains displaced after months of war. Families live in damaged homes, temporary shelters and overcrowded camps spread across ruins and roadside encampments. Aid organisations say supplies entering the territory remain insufficient for the scale of destruction.

Israel rejects accusations that it is deliberately restricting aid, insisting humanitarian supplies continue to enter Gaza under supervision. But the flotilla episode has once again focused international attention on the blockade.

According to news agency Reuters, organisers of the flotilla said the detained activists -- reportedly from 40 countries travelling aboard 50 vessels -- would eventually be transferred to Ketziot prison in Israel's Negev desert.

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With inputs from agencies