Extract from ABC News
Australian activists Zack Schofield, Neve O'Connor and Isla Lamont. (Supplied: Palestinian-Australian Global Sumud Flotilla media)
In short:
Eleven Australians detained by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza have submitted evidence to the International Criminal Court alleging abuse, torture and other violations during their detention.
The allegations have not yet been tested in court. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has rejected claims that flotilla participants were mistreated while in custody.
The Global Sumud Flotilla called for independent international investigations, arms embargoes and reparations for alleged victims.
Australians detained by Israeli forces while trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza have taken evidence of alleged abuse and mistreatment to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The 11 Australians were among an international flotilla of more than 400 people who were intercepted and detained on May 18 while trying to break Israel's naval blockade on the war-torn Gaza Strip to deliver food, medicine and baby formula.
Australians involved in the mission were Anny Mokotow, Bianca Webb-Pullman, Neve O'Connor, Violet Coco, Gemma O'Toole, Sam Woripa Watson, Zack Schofield, Helen O'Sullivan, Juliet Lamont, Isla Lamont and Surya McEwan.
Video shows Israeli forces intercepting Gaza flotilla with Australians on board. (Supplied: Global Sumud Flotilla)
In a statement issued on Friday, the Global Sumud Flotilla said activists had lodged a submission to the ICC, alleging war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and other violations of international law.
"The Global Sumud Flotilla aims to challenge the systemic impunity of the Israeli regime," the statement said.
"The submission presented to the ICC focuses heavily on the [alleged] severe, widespread abuses against civilians, including journalists, medics and human rights defenders as part of a coordinated campaign of violence."
The Global Sumud Flotilla called for independent investigations, arms embargoes and reparations for alleged victims.
The allegations have not yet been tested in court.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has rejected claims that flotilla participants were mistreated while in custody.
"IDF orders require respectful and appropriate treatment of flotilla participants on the intercepted vessels, and there are clear and established procedures in this regard," it said in a previous statement.
"No specific incidents of deviation from these binding procedures are known within the IDF. Any concrete complaints submitted to the IDF on the matter will be examined thoroughly."
The ABC has contacted the IDF for comment on the ICC submission.
Australians seeking 'accountability'
Since returning to Australia last week, several detainees have publicly alleged they were subjected to beatings, torture and sexual assault while in Israeli custody.
In an earlier statement, the flotilla group said at least 67 people suffered injuries during detention that required further medical evaluation at a state hospital, while another 12 participants were hospitalised.
The video posted by Itamar Ben-Gvir showed the detained activists on their hands and knees. (X: itamarbengvir)
Australian lawyer Bernadette Zaydan is part of the legal team helping activists present evidence to the international court in The Hague, Netherlands.
"For the survivors, it is the beginning of hopefully what will be accountability," Ms Zaydan said.
"This isn't just about the violent interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels, it's about the thousands of Palestinians who have lived and died under the same system of abuse, impunity and violence."
The Australian activists called for stronger action and sanctions against Israel, as well as an audience with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
"If Australian survivors can be heard in The Hague but not in Canberra, something has gone badly wrong," flotilla participant Ms Lamont said.
According to Gaza health authorities, more than 72,000 Palestinians have died since the start of the Israel-Gaza war, which was triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. About 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed, according to Israeli officials.
The latest flotilla mission also drew attention to Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who faced widespread criticism after posting a video appearing to show detainees kneeling on the ground with their hands restrained behind their backs while he taunted them.
The footage prompted the Australian government to summon Israel's ambassador and sanction Mr Ben-Gvir, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong describing his actions as "shocking and unacceptable".
Israel's ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, also condemned his actions but rejected allegations the flotilla crew had been harmed. He said any past or current allegations of violence and sexual assault were untrue.
UN blacklists Israel for conflict-related sexual violence
The flotilla's legal action came as the United Nations added Israel to a blacklist of 77 international parties suspected of committing sexual violence in conflict zones.
The decision prompted Israel's foreign ministry to announce it would sever all ties with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
António Guterres speaks during a Security Council meeting on May 26. (AP Photo: Seth Wenig)
In his annual report to the UN Security Council on conflict-related sexual violence, Mr Guterres said the UN had documented in 2025 "patterns of sexual violence" against Palestinians detained in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
He said there were "multiple incidents" of conflict-related sexual violence, "including as a form of torture, inflicted on 14 men, seven women, nine boys and one girl from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank".
Mr Gutteres said 13 of those cases happened last year, while 18 others date from 2023 and 2024.
Hamas was already included on the blacklist.
In a social media post, Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said placing Israel alongside the militant group marked a "new low".
"This is a political decision! Disconnected from the facts and reality!" Mr Danon wrote.
He said Israel had provided documents, data and detailed responses to the allegations that were raised in the report.
Israel's foreign ministry said it had "comprehensively, thoroughly, and unequivocally refuted these allegations".
"This decision is yet another example of the UN's long-standing, institutionalised hostility toward Israel," the foreign ministry wrote in a social media post.
The report also included accusations of sexual violence committed by Hamas against six hostages that had been held by the militant group.
But Mr Gutteres said the UN had been unable to independently verify those reports because the Israeli government continued to deny investigators access.
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