Video: Flotilla volunteer details torture after seizure in international waters

<article data-history-node-id="441356" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/video-flotilla-volunteer-details-torture-after-seizure-international" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/video-flotilla-volunteer-details-torture-after-seizure-international" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Video: Flotilla volunteer details torture after seizure in international waters</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>Belgian sailor and Global Sumud Flotilla volunteer Arno Meyns says he suffered fractured ribs and a collapsed lung after Israeli forces illegally seized a Gaza-bound aid vessel in international waters and kidnapped those on board.</p> <p>Meyns described being transferred to a makeshift prison ship where detainees were stripped of most of their clothing, deprived of basic necessities and subjected to systematic violence and humiliation.</p> <p>He said passengers were kept disoriented, forced to keep their heads down, constantly abused, and denied any understanding of where they were being taken.</p> <p>Meyns said the violence escalated once he was taken into a container aboard the prison ship. He said guards repeatedly kicked him for an extended period, continuing until he could barely breathe.</p> <p>The assault left him with fractured ribs and a collapsed lung, injuries from which he is still recovering.</p> <p>He described conditions aboard the ship as degrading and punitive, with detainees denied pain medication despite injuries and forced to endure flooded floors and poor sanitation.</p> <p>Meyns also alleged that guards deliberately stepped on detainees in an apparent attempt to break bones and appeared intent on causing further harm.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Belgian sailor and Global Sumud Flotilla volunteer Arno Meyns says he suffered fractured ribs and a collapsed lung after Israeli forces illegally seized a Gaza-bound aid vessel in international waters and kidnapped those on board.<br> <br> Meyns described being transferred to a makeshift… <a href="https://t.co/RXLeE17B7r">pic.twitter.com/RXLeE17B7r</a></p> — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) <a href="https://x.com/MiddleEastEye/status/2060540409068294340?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> </div> </article>