Australia to probe assault claims by Gaza flotilla activists against Israeli forces

Australian activists claim they were kidnapped, raped and tortured after being detained in May. Australia to investigate rape and torture claims by flotilla activists against Israeli forces Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Juliet Lamont, Neve O'Connor, Gemma O'Toole and Luca Lamont were detained in May by Israeli forces Australia to probe assault claims by Gaza flotilla activists against Israeli forces The Australian Federal Police (AFP) are investigating claims that Israeli forces raped and tortured a group of activists who were detained after trying to deliver aid to Gaza by boat. The move was announced shortly after four female activists, who were part of the Global Sumud flotilla in May, met with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and senior officials including police on Monday. An Israeli embassy spokesperson said there was "no credible evidence" to back the claims and no formal complaint had yet been made to them. Eleven Australians were among hundreds of activists detained by Israeli forces on 18 May after their Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla was intercepted. After Monday's meeting, one of the activists, Juliet Lamont, said Wong "believes" the group's claims against Israeli forces and police had indicated they would take action. "They have committed to an independent investigation into our allegations of kidnapping, abuse, rape, torture," Lamont told reporters. The AFP confirmed it had "begun inquiries into allegations made by a representative of the group" and that it "engages with a victim centric, trauma-informed approach". "The AFP will provide an update at an appropriate time," the spokesperson said. Monday's meeting was the first time Wong had met with the activists and a spokesperson from her office said it gave her and others an opportunity to "listen to them directly about their experiences". The minister has raised the allegations several times with Israel and expects "an independent, transparent investigation", the spokesperson said. "Minister Wong has condemned the actions of Israeli authorities and the behaviour of Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir who we have already sanctioned," Wong's spokesperson said. There was widespread condemnation after far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing himself taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs. There was widespread condemnation after far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing himself taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said Ben-Gvir actions were "not in line with Israel's values and norms". The Israeli embassy in Australia claimed the activists were "professional provocateurs" and that their accusations had "already been proven to be false". "Regarding their claims of physical and sexual assault, to date, no credible evidence has been presented, and no formal complaints have been submitted to the embassy," the embassy said, according the national broadcaster ABC. Gaza flotilla activists deported from Israel as backlash over treatment grows Israeli National Security Minister gestures in front of an Israeli flag while touring a facility in the Israeli port of Ashdod where pro-Palestinian activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla are being detained (20 May 2026) Far-right Israeli minister condemned for taunting handcuffed Gaza flotilla activists The case is believed to be the first time that convictions for criminal damage have been classified as terrorism. The Israeli military says Friday's "incident is under review", expressing "deep sorrow for any harm caused". Four people are accused of causing serious damage to the Moog factory near Wolverhampton last year. The US vice-president says the agreement is "about a page and a half" and "very general", meaning many details will be worked out later. Donald Trump's ceasefire agreement with Iran leaves the Israeli PM trapped in a new political and security dilemma. Pakistani police said the nine-year-old was mistakenly shot as they pursued a group of armed robbers. Israel says it targeted the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, as Tehran warns this could derail a US-Iran deal to end the fighting. Australia fans in Melbourne joyously celebrated their opening 2-0 win over Turkey at the 2026 World Cup.