- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 14 Oct 2025 10:07 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
American photojournalist Noa Avishag Schnall has accused Israeli prison guards of “extreme brutality,” including beatings, suffocation, and rape threats, following her arrest aboard a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla. Schnall, a US-born reporter for Drop Site News, said she was detained after Israeli forces intercepted the vessel Conscience, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, in international waters early Wednesday morning.
“Our boat, the Conscience, was attacked around 5 am,” Schnall said, appearing with visible bruises and a black eye during a press briefing. “The brutality began immediately. We were forced through multiple levels of administration and strip-searched repeatedly. At least one woman reported being physically penetrated by guards who laughed at her pain.”
Beatings, Shackles And Threats Of Rape
Schnall alleged that flotilla members were beaten, zip-tied, and blindfolded during processing. “We were shoved to the ground, our arms forced behind us, and led away in groups. Several of the 150 detained were singled out for extreme violence,” she said.
The journalist described being hung by metal shackles and beaten by multiple guards. “I was struck in the stomach, back, face, and skull by both male and female guards,” she said. “One sat on my neck and face, blocking my airways. Others threatened to rape me.”
Looting And Denial Of Basic Rights
She also accused guards of looting detainees’ personal belongings and denying them water and medical care. “We watched as they took our valuables during bag searches,” she said. “We were treated worse than criminals for simply trying to deliver aid.”
Her account aligns with testimonies from other deported activists who arrived in Istanbul over the weekend. Italian regional councillor Paolo Romano told reporters, “They put us on our knees, facing down. If we moved, they hit us. They laughed, insulted, and beat us.”
The flotilla had aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, which remains under a tight Israeli blockade amid the ongoing conflict. The Israeli government has not yet commented on the allegations made by Schnall and other participants.
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Greta Thunberg Also Alleges Mistreatment
Earlier, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who was also aboard a Gaza aid vessel, alleged that she and others were “kidnapped and tortured” by Israeli forces. Thunberg said detainees were deprived of clean water and medication, though she refrained from sharing personal details. “I don’t want this to become ‘Greta has been tortured,’ because that’s not the story here,” she said. “What happened to us is nothing compared to what people in Gaza endure every day.”