Israel releasing Gaza flotilla detainees today, incl. six Dutch citizens, journalists

The six Dutch members of the Gaza flotilla who Israel arrested on Wednesday can leave the country on Thursday. They are flying to Istanbul with other participants, the Dutch organization of the Global Sumud Flotilla announced. Turkey has chartered three flights for this purpose.

According to the activists, the Dutch nationals’ family members were informed of their impending release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday morning. The group consists of four participants in the flotilla that intended to transport goods to Gaza, as well as a journalist and a cameraman for the broadcaster BNNVARA.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the report. The Dutch consulate in Istanbul will receive the Dutch nationals. It is not yet known when they will be able to return to the Netherlands.

Earlier this week, Israel intercepted 51 ships from the flotilla in international waters that were en route to Gaza with food, medicine, and other relief supplies for the Palestinian population.

After their arrest, Israel subjected the activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla to “extreme violence, sexual humiliation, and serious mistreatment,” including on international waters, lawyers of the human rights organization Adalah reported after visiting the 428 detained activists.

According to Adalah, the lawyers spoke with dozens of detained activists who had suspected broken ribs, respiratory problems, and injuries caused by rubber bullets and tasers. At least three required hospital treatment. Lawyers also reported that the Israeli authorities systematically humiliated and sexually harassed the activists. They reportedly forced female participants to remove their headscarves, among other things.

Global Sumud Flotilla Nederland was relieved by Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Berendsen’s criticism of Israel’s actions after the Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared footage of the captive activists on X. The footage shows Israeli forces’ rough treatment of the people on the flotilla as they sat kneeling with their heads down.

The organization calls the Dutch government’s criticism “important support,” but further action is also needed. “We are relieved that the Dutch government is now speaking out clearly. But as long as civilians can be intercepted in international waters, mistreated, and detained without real consequences, international law will continue to be undermined.”

Global Sumud Flotilla Nederland wants the Netherlands and the European Union to help guarantee unhindered access to Gaza, to take action against the inhumane treatment of civilians, and to demand the release of all flotilla activists.