Slovak activist describes being held, threatened by Israeli forces after Gaza flotilla interception

Slovak filmmaker and activist Dáša Raimonová has detailed alleged mistreatment by Israeli forces after participating in the "Global Sumud" flotilla, which aimed to reach the Gaza Strip. Raimonová described being held for hours under the sun with her hands tied, facing threats of being shot by soldiers.

Raimonová, part of the flotilla's crew, recounted the experience aboard a "prison ship" after their vessel was intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters, approximately 460 kilometers from Gaza. She stated that Israeli soldiers initially surrounded their boat with motorboats and weapons before transferring the activists to a military vessel.

The interception involved over 400 activists from various European countries. Raimonová asserted that the Israeli military's actions were illegal, as they never entered Israeli territorial waters. The activists were subsequently detained and deported. The incident has drawn international criticism, particularly regarding the approach of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who reportedly mocked the kneeling activists.