ROME -- Some of the activists detained while trying to reach Gaza by sea have returned to their home countries to describe abuse and humiliation at the hands of Israeli guards.

Some 450 activists were arrested as Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of 42 boats seeking to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza and deliver a symbolic amount of aid to the famine-stricken territory. Those detained between Wednesday and Friday were brought to Israel, where many remain in prison.

Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi said Israeli soldiers withheld medicines and treated prisoners "like monkeys."

"This is called torture. It's called torture, a denial of human rights, even the most basic ones," he said on his return at Rome's Fiumicino Airport late Saturday.

"They took aw

See Full Page