French Activists Return Home After Detention on Gaza Flotilla

Eight French nationals arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris from Turkey on Friday afternoon. " Two of the 36 French participants remained in Turkish hospitals, according to statements made by those who returned.

Hadjal, 38, said Israeli forces detained her on Monday and transferred her to Israel. She described being taken into a dark container where she said a soldier touched her breasts and struck her head. Adrien Bertel said at least 37 of the 430 detained individuals suffered broken bones and at least 16 reported sexual violence.

He said soldiers beat detainees inside a container and directed additional aggression at him after noticing nail polish. Yasmine Scola said detainees slept with hands tied for 36 hours and were forced into stress positions at the port while the Israeli national anthem played repeatedly.

The spokesperson added that all detainees were held according to law under trained staff. The activists stated before leaving the airport that they had experienced "a tiny part of what Palestinians endure" and urged protests calling on the French government to act.