Freed Gaza flotilla activists allege Israeli abuse including rape

AI Summary

Activists freed from Israeli custody after attempting to deliver aid to Gaza allege abuse including sexual assaults, with reports of injuries and at least 15 cases of rape. Israeli prison authorities denied these allegations, and independent verification has not been possible.

By Anna Uras, Rami Ayyub and Layli Foroudi ROME/JERUSALEM/PARIS, May 22 (Reuters) - Activists released from Israeli custody after being detained on a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza were subjected to abuse, organisers said on Friday, with several hospitalised with injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape. Israel's prison service denied the allegations, and Reuters was not able to verify them indepdendently. "The allegations raised are false and entirely without factual basis," a prison service spokesperson said in a statement.