Overview
- Israeli forces intercepted the Turkish-led Global Sumud flotilla in international waters off Cyprus and by Wednesday had brought roughly 430 activists to Ashdod for processing.
- Itamar Ben-Gvir posted video showing detainees kneeling with hands bound as he waved an Israeli flag and taunted them, drawing a public rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
- Italy, France, and the UK condemned the treatment and summoned Israeli ambassadors, while South Korea’s president said Israel had “kidnapped” its citizens in international waters in breach of norms.
- Rights group Adalah accused authorities of abuse and sent lawyers to assist detainees in Ashdod, as flotilla organizers said at least 87 participants had begun a hunger strike.
- Israel says it fired no live rounds and used only nonlethal warnings, defending the Gaza naval blockade that has led to repeat high-seas confrontations since 2007.