Adalah, the legal rights center in Israel, urged authorities on Sunday to open a criminal investigation into the testimony of a German journalist who reported sexual assault, rape, humiliation, and physical violence during her detention in Givon Prison in Ramla.

In a statement, Adalah confirmed it filed a formal complaint to the Attorney General, the legal adviser to the Prison Service, the unit investigating prison guards, and the administration of Givon Prison, stressing the need to hold those responsible accountable. The journalist, referred to as “A.L.,” described harrowing abuse.

The incident dates back to October, when Israeli naval forces intercepted dozens of ships belonging to the “Global Freedom Flotilla” in international waters. The flotilla carried over 500 activists from European and African ports attempting to break the blockade on Gaza.

According to A.L.’s testimony, violations began immediately upon transfer from the port to Ketziot Prison in the Negev, where she and others endured physical and verbal abuse, prolonged plastic handcuffing, blindfolding, shouting, and threats—including threats of rape.  

The abuse escalated upon her arrival at Givon Prison. She testified that male guards watched from behind a curtain while female guards forcibly stripped her naked. She was then compelled to kneel, and one female guard carried out a brutal sexual assault as male guards laughed during the rape.

Adalah’s statement added further disturbing details, underscoring the severity of the violations. Meanwhile, a team of international lawyers submitted a formal request to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, urging expansion of ongoing investigations into the situation in Palestine to include Israeli abuses against activists of the Global Freedom Flotilla.