Australian authorities have begun investigating allegations of rape, torture, and abuse made by activists who were detained by Israeli forces after attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed it has launched inquiries into claims raised by members of the Global Sumud flotilla, following a meeting between four female activists and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra on Monday.
The activists were among hundreds of people detained on May 18, 2026, when Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Eleven Australians were reportedly among those arrested.
Following the meeting, activist Juliet Lamont said Australian officials had taken their allegations seriously.
“They have committed to an independent investigation into our allegations of kidnapping, abuse, rape, torture,” Lamont told reporters after the discussions.
She added that Foreign Minister Wong had listened to the activists’ accounts and expressed concern about their treatment while in Israeli custody.
In a statement, the AFP said it had “begun inquiries into allegations made by a representative of the group” and emphasized that it would handle the matter using a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach.
The agency declined to provide further details, saying updates would be released “at an appropriate time.”
A spokesperson for Wong’s office said Monday’s meeting provided an opportunity for senior government officials, including police representatives, to hear directly from the activists about their experiences.
According to the spokesperson, Wong has raised the allegations with Israeli authorities on multiple occasions and is seeking an independent and transparent investigation into the claims.
The minister’s office also reiterated Australia’s criticism of the conduct of Israeli authorities and condemned the actions of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The controversy intensified after Ben-Gvir posted a video showing detained activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs while he appeared to mock them.
The footage drew widespread international criticism, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to distance himself from the incident, saying the minister’s actions were “not in line with Israel’s values and norms.”
The Israeli Embassy in Australia has strongly denied the accusations.
In a statement, the embassy described the flotilla participants as “professional provocateurs” and claimed their allegations had already been disproven.
“Regarding their claims of physical and sexual assault, to date, no credible evidence has been presented, and no formal complaints have been submitted to the embassy,” the statement said.
Israeli officials have also maintained that there is no evidence supporting the activists’ claims and noted that no formal complaint has been lodged through diplomatic channels.
The AFP investigation is now expected to assess the allegations and determine whether further action is warranted. Australian officials have not indicated a timeline for the inquiry’s completion.
The case is likely to attract significant international attention amid ongoing tensions surrounding humanitarian aid efforts and the conflict in Gaza.