Gaza activist says he was 'kicked and punched' by Israeli forces

An activist who tried to deliver aid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla says he was kicked and punched while detained by Israeli forces.

Hasnain Jafer from Birmingham, who works for King's College London, said his experience in Israeli custody was "harrowing".

"They would actually kick us and punch us. I was punched in the ribs, I was also kicked in the crevice behind my knee numerous times while walking," he told BBC Midlands Today.

Israel's prison service said in a statement that various allegations were "false and entirely without factual basis".

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists were detained in Israel after their flotilla bringing food and medical aid to Gaza was intercepted.

After being in detention, 422 people from 41 countries were then deported by Israel.

Israel's government had dismissed the flotilla as a "PR stunt", but Jafer told the BBC: "When we left, we went with the promise of answering the Palestinian call, which was that they wanted us to come."

The flotilla's organisers alleged there were "at least 15 cases of sexual assaults" while other people who were detained said they were beaten and mistreated.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify the allegations.

Israel's prison service said in a statement: "All prisoners and detainees are held in accordance with the law, with full regard for their basic rights and under the supervision of professional and trained prison staff.

"Medical care is provided according to professional medical judgment, and in accordance with ministry of health guidelines."

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said: "IDF orders require respectful and appropriate treatment of flotilla participants on the intercepted vessels, and there are clear and established procedures in this regard.

"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."

A video of far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing himself taunting the flotilla activists who were kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs, has sparked international condemnation.

It even drew rare criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said they were "not in line with Israel's values".

Jafer told the BBC that on returning home, he realised he could be briefly seen in the video.

"When I came home it was only when my family showed me the video and said 'oh my god we saw you'," he said.

"Then I saw the video and I'm on there, and I did think to myself when I saw the video, wow they really, really, really shot themselves in the foot there by showing the whole world their real face. It was despicable."

Jafer will now be spending time with his family before resuming his role as a student leader at King's College.

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