'They beat us and stole our belongings': US brothers recount Israeli abuse after capture of Gaza aid flotilla

Two American brothers, who had joined the Global Sumud Flotilla that sought to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, have described in detail how Israeli forces seized their ships and detained activists in international waters.

Adnan and Tor Stomo said Israeli soldiers had assaulted activists, stolen personal belongings, and denied them access to medicine.

They also criticised US consular officials, accusing them of failing to help and instead urging the pair to comply with Israeli demands to sign documents.

The two activists arrived at Dulles Airport in Virginia on Friday, where they were greeted by dozens chanting: "Welcome home! Free Palestine! Say it loud, Adnan and Tor, we are proud of you!"

Supporters held signs reading "We love Adnan and Tor", "Welcome home", and "Thank you", while waving Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyehs.

Upon arrival, Adnan chanted: "From the river to the sea, Palestine is free! From the river to the sea, Palestine will live forever", wearing the white prison shirt he had on during his detention in Israel.

He said he continues to wear it to remind himself of the thousands of innocent Palestinians imprisoned, and the many children, women, and men killed under occupation.

Tor embraced friends and kissed his mother Nadia on the forehead, both brothers holding back tears as their mother wiped away her own, relieved after days of anxiety following reports of their detention, mistreatment, and illness.

Two American activists, Adnaan and Tor Stumo, from the Global Sumud Flotilla, detained by Israeli forces while trying to deliver aid to Gaza, have arrived at Dulles Airport — reunited with family, and friends. pic.twitter.com/8fwqtCwO8O

— Rabia İclal Turan (@iclalturan) October 10, 2025

The brothers were among some 500 humanitarian activists from around the world who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla in an attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, which denied nearly two million people access to water, medicine, and food.

The flotilla sailed on 43 boats, aiming to establish a humanitarian corridor to the besieged enclave after years of international inaction.

According to Adnan, the flotilla's journey turned into a nightmare on the night of 1 October. He said he was aboard the boat that came closest to Gaza before Israeli forces stopped it.

"They came at night and cut our communications. They blasted us with water cannons for over an hour. It felt like punches to the back and head, throwing some of us off balance," he said. "When they disabled our boats, they sent armed special forces who seized control."

The activists were then taken to Ashdod Port and later to a high-security prison in the Negev Desert, south of Gaza.

Speaking at the airport, Adnan said: "We were denied basic medicines. Diabetics didn’t get insulin. The Israeli army showed blatant racism-Arabs and Africans were beaten and abused."

He also sharply criticised US consular officials, saying they didn't offer any help.

Adnan said that seven of their fellow activists remain in detention, along with others from new boats.

"We're still wearing our prison clothes in solidarity with them," he added. "We can't celebrate our release while people remain behind bars - more than 10,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of children."

Tor, describing the raid, said it had revealed "the cowardice of the occupation".

"When they kidnapped us illegally in international waters, we immediately knew that Israel's government and soldiers were cowards, afraid of consequences. They didn't hurt anyone on my boat because they know killing Palestinians or stealing their land goes unpunished. But stealing British or Portuguese boats is a different story," he said.

He explained that those on board were "ordinary civilians, [such as] doctors, journalists, and activists, carrying aid to a starving people."

Tor recalled his treatment upon arrival at the port, saying he was handcuffed with plastic ties and pushed to the ground.

"I still have wounds on my hands. On the bus, they beat me, tied my hands behind my back for hours, covered my face, and I lost consciousness," he said.

He added that soldiers had pointed guns at their faces in prison and prevented them from seeing doctors or lawyers.

"Is this how they treat citizens of their closest allies - the United States, the UK, Norway? Our governments allow them to commit war crimes, so imagine how they treat Palestinians. It’s contempt for the whole world, including their allies."

Tor also said Israeli soldiers stole his and his colleagues' personal belongings.

"They took everything I had. They logged it and gave me a receipt, but when I left, they only gave me the receipt. They’re pathetic. They’re not our allies," he said.

Both brothers urged the US government to hold Israel accountable for its crimes, calling on the international community to prosecute Israel for war crimes and violating the Geneva Conventions by blocking the passage of a civilian humanitarian aid convoy.