Footage circulated on Wednesday showed dozens of international detainees kneeling in rows, with their foreheads to the ground and their hands zip-tied behind their backs.

The Qatar Press Center condemned the interception by Israeli forces of vessels belonging to the Global Freedom Flotilla, which was en route to the Gaza Strip on a humanitarian mission.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Center denounced the detention of several journalists and media workers on board the flotilla and called for their immediate release.

“The Center affirms that the interception of the vessels in international waters and the detention of media and journalistic crews on board represent a dangerous development that undermines freedom of journalistic work and restricts journalists’ right to perform their professional duties in covering humanitarian events in the Gaza Strip,” the statement said.

According to the organizers, Israeli forces began intercepting the vessels on Tuesday as they attempted to reach Gaza. The media office of the Global Freedom Flotilla said detainees were held at sea for a period before being transferred to official detention facilities.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) stated that it had identified at least seven journalists and media workers on board the flotilla, adding that their continued detention was causing growing concern in international human rights and media circles.

In a second video, Far-right Israeli National Security Minister ltamar Ben-Gvir appeared threatening detained participants of the flotilla after their unlawful arrest in international waters. 

Footage circulated on Wednesday showed dozens of international detainees kneeling in rows, with their foreheads to the ground and their hands zip-tied behind their backs.

Ben-Gvir mocked the activists, saying they “came here all full of pride like big heroes. Look at them now,” and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to place them in long-term detention.  

“I say to Prime Minister Netanyahu, give them to me for a long, long time. Give them to us for the terrorist prisons. That’s what it should look like,” said Ben-Gvir.

The images prompted widespread condemnation, with activists reporting assaults and humiliation in the presence of the minister.

Qatar has condemned the treatment of detained activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, describing it as “inhumane” and a “blatant violation of international humanitarian law.”

In a statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the abuse and mistreatment of the activists, “in full view and hearing of the world,” highlights the scale of violations endured by Palestinians living under occupation and apartheid for decades. 

Qatar’s Minister of Education and Higher Education, Lolwah Al Khater, said the incident should not be viewed as isolated but as part of a broader pattern of official Israeli conduct that disregards human dignity and international law.

“Qatar stresses the necessity of not treating the practices of Israeli government members as individual or isolated actions detached from the broader context, as such moves reflect a systematic Israeli behaviour and an official policy that pays no regard to human dignity, nor attaches any weight to international law or to the reactions of the international community.” said Al Khater.

Ireland’s Deputy PM Simon Harris has called for a “strong, unambiguous EU response” after Israel detained members of the Sumud Flotilla, including Irish citizens.

“The actions of the Israeli government towards illegally detained members of the Sumud Flotilla … is despicable and cannot be consequence free,” Harris wrote on X on Thursday.

“It is disgusting. Condemnation is important but not enough,” he added, describing the detentions as “a further clear breach of international law”.

Harris reiterated Ireland’s call for the suspension of trade elements of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, saying: “It is long past time for Europe to act.”

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said images showing Israeli minister Ben Gvir humiliating members of an international flotilla supporting Gaza are unacceptable. 

“In September, I announced the ban on access to national territory for this member of the Israeli government. Now we are going to push in Brussels for these sanctions to be elevated to the European scale on an urgent basis,” said Sanchez.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described actions attributed to Israeli minister Ben Gvir toward passengers of the Global Freedom Flotilla as unacceptable, and said he had requested the Israeli ambassador to France be summoned to express France’s indignation and seek explanations.

“Whatever one thinks of this flotilla—and we have indicated on several occasions our disapproval of this initiative—our compatriots who are participating in it must be treated with respect and released as quickly as possible,” said French Foreign Minister.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on her X account that it is unacceptable for demonstrators, including many Italian citizens, to be subjected to treatment that violates human dignity, demanding an apology.

“The Italian Government is immediately taking, at the highest institutional levels, all necessary steps to secure the immediate release of the Italian citizens involved,” said Meloni.

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has directed officials to summon the Israeli ambassador to demand assurances regarding the safety and security of Canadians involved.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the treatment of civilians aboard the flotilla is “abominable” and unacceptable.

“Canada has already imposed strict sanctions on Mr. Ben-Gvir, including asset freezes and a travel ban, in response to his repeated incitement of violence. The protection of civilians and respect for human dignity must be upheld everywhere, at all times,” said Carney.

In its statement, Qatar called on the international community to take urgent action to halt Israeli provocations and the inhumane treatment of detained activists, secure their immediate and unconditional release, ensure accountability for ongoing violations, and end policies of impunity that enable such practices.