Seven activists who had been detained after taking part in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have returned to the United Kingdom following their deportation from Israel.

The group were among more than 422 participants involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which set sail from Turkey with the stated aim of breaking the maritime blockade of Gaza and delivering food and medical supplies.

Israeli authorities intercepted the vessels in international waters west of Cyprus, boarding the boats over several days and redirecting those on board to Israeli ports.After arriving at the port of Ashdod, the detained activists were taken to prison facilities before eventually being deported.Upon their return to London Stansted via Turkey, several of the activists gave accounts alleging mistreatment during their detention.They claimed that detainees were subjected to physical abuse, poor treatment, and in some cases sexual assault.One activist described being restrained in handcuffs that caused injury, while others said they were beaten or denied medical attention.

A sailing instructor involved in the flotilla stated that participants were held on what she described as prison ships and subjected to systematic abuse over a period of days.

Israeli authorities have strongly rejected these allegations, stating that detainees were treated in accordance with the law and that IDF procedures require respectful handling of intercepted individuals.They also dismissed the flotilla as a publicity exercise, arguing that it carried limited humanitarian aid and was politically motivated.

The flotilla organisers, however, insist their mission was intended to highlight the humanitarian situation in Gaza and call for the opening of a humanitarian corridor.The BBC notes that it has not independently verified the allegations made by the activists.

The incident forms part of ongoing tensions surrounding the Gaza blockade and wider Israel-Gaza conflict, with differing accounts continuing to emerge from both sides regarding the treatment of detainees and the purpose of the flotilla mission.