Some of the activists detained while trying to reach Gaza by sea have returned to their home countries to describe mistreatment at the hands of Israeli guards, allegations that Israel denies.

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.

Israel's Foreign Affairs Ministry said it offered voluntary deportation to all of the activists and that those who remain in detention chose to stay there in order to go through a legal deportation process.

On his return at Rome's Fiumicino Airport late Saturday, Italian journa

See Full Page