The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) confirmed Tuesday that Israel released 14 journalists who had been arrested while reporting from the Conscience, a ship in the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC).

According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and CPJ, Israeli authorities arrested the journalists on October 8 near the Suez Canal. One journalist aboard, Emily Wilder, told CPJ that “the Israeli military encircled, boarded the boat, took control of the vessel, and held us captive for 12 hours” until the ship reached the port of Ashdod. Wilder said she told Israeli authorities that she was a member of the press and wore a press card around her neck. She said a soldier took her press notebook and added that, although later returned, “it had clearly been read.” Another interviewed journalist related: “They pulled me by my hair across the port to where everybody was forced to kneel for some time. They zip-tied my hands behind my back, and my press card was on me the entire time. Later, they seized it—it was stolen from me.”

At the time of the seizures, the FFC was reportedly sailing in protest of Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The flotilla was composed of nine boats transporting nationals from 30 countries and $110,000 worth of medical supplies for Gaza hospitals.

On Tuesday, detained journalist Noa Avishag Schnall released a video recounting her experience. She said that, upon arrival to the port of Ashdod, “the brutality began immediately.” Schnall recalled strip searches, threats of rape, and assault. She said that fellow journalists report having their possessions looted. Schnall described being given filthy blankets and thin mattresses, and being subjected to “extreme brutality” during her imprisonment. She said she was “hung from metal shackles” by her wrists and beaten. Schnall said detainees were pressured to admit to illegally entering Israeli territory and to opt for voluntary deportation.

The CPJ condemned the detention of journalists, warning that this type of action “undermines press freedom.” CPJ Regional Director, Sara Qudah, called for Israeli authorities to allow international journalists unimpeded access to Gaza in light of the ceasefire agreement.

UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Irene Khan, emphasized that journalists aboard the Conscience were attempting to “break Israel’s unprecedented ban on free access of international media to Gaza.” She condemned the arrests as an “attack against unarmed civilians” and a “violation of international law.”