Tunis: Tunisian activist Mohamed Ali Mohieddine recounted mistreatment and abuses by Israeli forces after being arrested from an international aid flotilla sailing to the blockaded Gaza Strip. Speaking to local media at Tunis-Carthage International Airport late Sunday, Mohieddine said activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla were treated inhumanely by Israeli forces.

According to Anadolu Agency, Mohieddine described the conditions as degrading, stating that they were fed a small piece of bread in the morning and another small piece later, with water sourced from the sewage. Mohieddine, who was the captain of the Amsterdam vessel, added that he was assaulted after informing soldiers that the flotilla would continue to sail to Gaza 'in waves.'

A group of 10 Tunisian activists, out of 25 who participated in the flotilla, arrived at Tunis-Carthage Airport on Sunday following their deportation from Israel. Hundreds gathered to welcome them with flowers, chants, applause, and Tunisian and Palestinian flags, according to an Anadolu correspondent.

Mohieddine criticized the Israeli soldiers, describing them as 'weak and unfit for maritime operations.' He recounted incidents where Israeli soldiers appeared inexperienced, noting that some vomited on the ship and were unable to operate the engine. He also mentioned that when an alarm went off aboard the ship, an Israeli soldier panicked, and another urinated from fear.

Israeli naval forces attacked and seized vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla late Wednesday, detaining more than 470 activists from over 50 countries. The flotilla aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel's blockade of the enclave. Israel has maintained the blockade of Gaza, home to nearly 2.4 million people, for almost 18 years.

Since October 2023, Israeli bombardments have killed more than 67,100 Palestinians in the enclave, most of them women and children, rendering it uninhabitable. The blockade has also pushed Gaza towards famine.