Israel Deports 171 Flotilla Activists Including Greta Thunberg; 150 Remain Detained at Ktziot
Israel has deported 171 people detained after the interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla — including Greta Thunberg — while about 150 activists remain held at Ktziot prison, roughly 40 of whom are reported to be on hunger strike; dozens of deportees disembarked in Athens on Oct. 6. Released activists and journalists have alleged specific mistreatment in Israeli custody (withholding medicines, mockery, intimidation with dogs and lasers, theft, forced kneeling and zip‑tied hands), allegations Israeli officials deny — the foreign ministry called some claims “brazen lies” — while National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir praised the treatment and court documents show Thunberg sought deportation and made no formal complaint at an Oct. 5 hearing.
International
War & Conflict
Human Rights
📌 Key Facts
- Roughly 450 activists were arrested after the interception of 42 boats attempting to reach Gaza.
- Israel has deported 171 people detained in the flotilla interception, including climate activist Greta Thunberg; some deportees disembarked in Athens on Oct. 6 and about 137 activists from 13 countries were reported to have arrived in Istanbul.
- About 150 activists remain held in Israel’s Ktziot (Ketziot) prison, with roughly 40 reported to be on hunger strike and lawyers saying some are refusing food and water.
- Released detainees, journalists and lawyers allege specific mistreatment in Israeli custody, including withholding medicines, mockery and singling out (including of Greta Thunberg), repeated forced wakings, intimidation with dogs and laser sights, theft of belongings, forced kneeling and having hands zip‑tied.
- Israel’s government has denied the mistreatment allegations, with the Foreign Ministry calling Thunberg’s claims 'brazen lies' and saying detainees had access to food, water, legal counsel and medical care; Israeli authorities also alleged a Spanish detainee bit a female medical staff member.
- Court documents from an Oct. 5 hearing before Israel’s Population and Migration Tribunal show Greta Thunberg requested deportation to Sweden and made no formal complaint of mistreatment while in custody, according to the filings cited by reporting.
- Adalah and other lawyers allege rights violations during the interception, transfer and detention of activists; Israeli officials have repeatedly denied those claims.
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir publicly described flotilla participants as 'supporters of terrorism,' said he was 'proud' of how staff treated activists at Ketziot, and said he was 'proud they experienced the same conditions as terrorist detainees.'
📚 Contextual Background
- Israel enforces a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
- Ketziot Prison is a detention facility located in the Negev desert in southern Israel.
📰 Sources (4)
Greta Thunberg is among flotilla activists deported from Israel. Others remain in prison
New information:
- Israel deported 171 people detained in the flotilla interception (countries of citizenship listed include the United States).
- Dozens of deportees (including Greta Thunberg) disembarked in Athens, Greece on Oct. 6, 2025 and Thunberg was quoted condemning treatment and urging attention to Gaza.
- About 150 activists remain held in Israel’s Ktziot prison; roughly 40 of them are reported to be on hunger strike.
- Adalah lawyers say some detainees are refusing food and water and allege rights violations during interception, transfer and detention; Israeli authorities have denied mistreatment.
Greta Thunberg's alleged jail complaints called 'brazen lies' by Israeli government
New information:
- Israeli Foreign Ministry publicly called Greta Thunberg’s claims about bedbugs, dehydration and being forced to sit on hard surfaces 'brazen lies' and said detainees' legal rights were fully upheld.
- Court documents from an Oct. 5 hearing before Israel’s Population and Migration Tribunal show Thunberg requested deportation to Sweden and made no formal complaint of mistreatment while in custody.
- The Israeli Foreign Ministry said detainees had access to food, water, legal counsel and medical care; it also alleged a Spanish detainee bit a female medical staff member at Ketziot Prison.
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir described flotilla participants as 'supporters of terrorism' and said he was 'proud they experienced the same conditions as terrorist detainees.'
Released Gaza flotilla activists allege mistreatment while being detained in Israel
New information:
- Multiple detainees and journalists allege specific mistreatment in Israeli custody: withholding medicines, mockery, being singled out (Greta Thunberg), repeated wakings, intimidation with dogs and laser sights, theft of belongings, forced kneeling and zip‑tied hands.
- Far‑right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir publicly said he was 'proud' of how staff treated activists at Ketziot prison and framed them as 'supporters of terrorism.'
- Characterized scale and locations: roughly 450 activists arrested after the interception of 42 boats; reporting notes 137 activists from 13 countries subsequently arrived in Istanbul, while many others remained in detention in Israel.