This week, seven Australians returned home after being detained by Israel.

They had been part of the Global Sumud Flotilla – more than 400 activists from 56 countries trying to reach Gaza by sea, carrying food and medicine.

Four days after they set sail from Turkiye, Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters and took the passengers to Israel.

Then Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, released footage of detainees bound on the ground, as he stood over them and taunted them.

Israel says the operation was lawful and that no one was harmed. But the Australians who have now returned say they were beaten, humiliated, denied food and water, and held for almost 80 hours.

Today, in part one of a two-part episode, filmmaker and flotilla participant Juliet Lamont on what she says happened from the moment Israeli forces reached her boat.

7am has contacted the Israeli embassy for comment.

And a warning, this episode contains reference to sexual assault.

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Guest: Flotilla activist, Juliet Lamont

Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi