On May 18, 2026, Israeli authorities arrested Turkish GZT journalist Ümmü Gülsüm Durmuş, while aboard the Jandabar, a vessel in the Global Sumud Flotilla, an aid convoy attempting to break the blockade on Gaza.
She was among the flotilla participants deported to Istanbul, Turkey, on May 21, after three days and three nights in Israeli custody.
"They systematically used sexually harassing language toward the women. When you objected to something, they would say, 'Shall we have fun tonight?' They kept playing that card," said Durmuş, noting being subjected to physical abuse.
According to the journalist, women wearing headscarves were subjected to further abuse. She said her own headscarf was removed before she was beaten by four male soldiers.
Adalah, a legal rights group representing some of the detainees, told CPJ journalists were treated no differently from other detainees and faced alleged abuses including restricted access to lawyers, humiliation, and various forms of violence.
In a video published on X, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir can be heard yelling, “welcome to Israel, we are the landlords,” while waving a large Israeli flag over dozens of detainees kneeling side by side on the floor, their hands tied behind their backs and their heads lowered to the ground. Another video shows security forces violently throwing a handcuffed activist to the ground after the activist shouts “free Palestine” at Ben Gvir. The minister also said the detainees should be imprisoned for “a long, long time.”
In response to an email requesting comment, the Israel Defense Forces told CPJ it “rejects allegations of abuse by IDF soldiers during the operations,” adding that any “concrete complaints submitted to the IDF on the matter will be examined thoroughly.” CPJ’s email requesting comment from the office of Ben-Gvir did not receive a response.