DaysofPal – Hamas has strongly condemned the abuse and humiliation of detained activists from the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” stating that the action, personally overseen by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, reflects a state of moral degradation and sadism among Israel’s leadership.
In a statement, Hamas said the actions were part of a “desperate attempt to break the will of the activists and deter them from their humanitarian and noble role in breaking the siege” imposed on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The movement held Israeli authorities and leadership “fully responsible for the safety of the activists” and demanded their immediate release.
Hamas also called on the international community, the United Nations, and human rights organizations to “document these crimes and violations” and submit urgent complaints to the International Criminal Court in order to hold Israeli leaders accountable. The group asserted that the incidents “amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
The movement praised the “courage and sacrifices of international activists” supporting Palestinians, stressing the importance of continuing humanitarian efforts by “free people around the world” to break the blockade on Gaza and expose what it called the “brutality and crimes of the occupation.” Hamas said such efforts could contribute to “forming a global front to end the siege and the occupation.”
Angry reactions erupted internationally after Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on his account on the social media platform X showing footage of detained activists following their attempt to sail toward the Gaza Strip.
Video clips circulated online showed scenes of humiliation and mistreatment, including activists being forced to bend forward while handcuffed and lowering their heads. During a provocative visit to detainees at Ashdod Port, Ben-Gvir was seen delivering inflammatory remarks and referring to the activists with derogatory language.
Ben-Gvir later shared the footage with the caption “Welcome to Israel,” showing dozens of activists aboard a military vessel and later inside a detention facility. In one scene, the minister appeared waving an Israeli flag in front of one detainee while chanting, “Long live Israel.”
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