German embassy in contact with Gaza flotilla activists detained in Israel: Foreign Ministry

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - Germany is in contact with 14 nationals who were part of the Gaza aid flotilla and are detained in Israel, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

"Fourteen German nationals who were part of the 'Global Sumud Flotilla' are currently in custody in Israel. The German Embassy in Tel Aviv is in contact with them and their relatives and is providing consular assistance," a ministry spokesperson told Anadolu.

"The German Consul visited them on Friday at Ketziot Prison in southern Israel. According to Israeli authorities, those who have refused voluntary deportation are to be brought before a judge within 96 hours," the spokesperson said, adding that they are then expected to be deported to Germany.

Israeli naval forces intercepted and seized vessels of the flotilla late Wednesday, detaining more than 470 activists from over 50 countries.

Some of the activists who returned to their home countries in the past two days reported being mistreated during Israeli detention. They were denied clean food and water while in custody and subjected to psychological abuse throughout their detention period.

The Global Sumud Flotilla aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel's blockade of the region, which faces severe famine conditions. Since October 2023, Israeli bombardments have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza, primarily women and children. These attacks have made the enclave uninhabitable, while the ongoing blockade has further pushed the population toward famine.