Seven flotilla activists detained in Israel arrive back in UK

Seven activists whose Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted in international waters by Israeli forces have returned to the UK after being deported. They were among more than 422 people involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which aimed to break the maritime blockade of Gaza and deliver food and medical aid. The group, who arrived at at London Stansted on Saturday via Turkey, told the BBC they witnessed people being "systematically tortured and abused over two days" on Israeli vessels and in prison. The Israeli military previously rejected similar allegations, telling the BBC that its orders "require respectful and appropriate treatment of flotilla participants". More than 50 boats taking part in the GSF set sail from Turkey last Thursday carrying a token amount of aid. Israel's government dismissed the action as a "PR stunt" serving the Palestinian armed group Hamas, and ordered commandos to board the boats west of Cyprus on Monday and Tuesday. The detained activists were transferred to Israeli vessels and taken to an Israeli prison after arriving at the port of Ashdod. The flotilla's organisers alleged there were "at least 15 cases of sexual assaults", while other people w