Gaza flotilla activists allege abuse by Israeli forces while detained

Gaza flotilla activists allege abuse by Israeli forces while detainedJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleDavid GrittenGetty ImagesSome of the flotilla activists arriving in Rome on ThursdayPro-Palestinian activists who were deported after their Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted in international waters by Israeli forces have alleged they were subjected to abuse while held in detention.Canada said it had received information detailing "appalling abuse" of its citizens, while Germany and Spain confirmed that a number of their citizens had injuries.The flotilla's organisers alleged there were "at least 15 cases of sexual assaults" while other people who were detained said they were beaten and mistreated.The BBC has not been able to independently verify the allegations. Israel's prison service has dismissed them as false, saying all detainees were "held in accordance with the law".The Israeli military has also been contacted for comment.Warning: This article contains details of alleged abuse some may find distressingMore than 50 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) set sail from Turkey last week, planning to breach Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza and deliver food and medical aid.Israel's government dismissed the action as a "PR stunt" serving the Palestinian armed group Hamas, and ordered commandos to board the boats west of Cyprus on Monday and Tuesday.The detained activists were transferred to Israeli vessels and taken to an Israeli prison after arriving at the port of Ashdod.On Thursday, 422 people from 41 countries were deported by Israel. Many have since arrived home.Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on Friday that she had "received information from my officials which details the appalling abuse of Canadians who were detained in Israel", without giving further details.She added: "Canada unequivocally condemns the grave mistreatment of Canadians in Israel. Those re...