Israel deports 171 activists from Gaza-bound flotilla.

Greta Thunberg – (Special Correspondent /Web Desk) – Greta Thunberg, a climate activist, was among the 171 activists from the Gaza aid flotilla who were deported to Greece and Slovakia on Monday, according to Israel.
The activists who were deported from Israel have claimed that Israeli forces severely mistreated them, harassing them, depriving them of food, and humiliating them while they were in custody.
Between Wednesday and Friday, the Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted as it attempted to deliver symbolic aid and break the naval blockade of Gaza. The Israeli operation, which resulted in about 450 participants being arrested, sparked protests around the world and widespread criticism.
Speaking on Sunday at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, Italian activist Cesare Tofani claimed, “We were treated terribly … There was harassment from both the army and the police, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Fellow Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi told the Associated Press that Israeli soldiers had treated detainees “like monkeys” and denied them access to medicine. Yassine Lafram, head of the Union of Islamic Communities in Italy, added that the group was “treated violently” and “had weapons pointed at us,” calling it “unacceptable for a democratic country.”

Another Italian journalist, Lorenzo D’Agostino, who arrived in Istanbul after deportation, said soldiers intimidated detainees by unleashing dogs and pointing laser sights at prisoners. “You weren’t allowed to look them in the face,” he said. “When I did, one man came and slapped me on the back of the head. They forced us to stay on our knees for four hours.”

Malaysian singers and sisters Heliza Helmi and Hazwani Helmi also described “brutal” conditions in Israeli detention. Speaking to Anadolu Agency in Istanbul, Hazwani said, “Can you imagine we drank from the toilet water? Some people were very sick, but they [the Israelis] said, ‘Are they dead? If not, that’s not my problem.’ They are very cruel people.”

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Heliza added that detainees were deprived of food for days. “I ate on October 1. Today is my first meal,” she said on Saturday. “So for three days, I did not eat—only drank from the toilet.”

Earlier, deported activists also alleged that Greta Thunberg, one of the mission’s highest-profile members, had been “dragged on the ground,” “forced to kiss the Israeli flag,” and “used as propaganda.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry called the claims of abuse “brazen lies,” insisting that “all detainees’ legal rights are fully upheld.” It said Greta Thunberg and other detainees “refused to expedite their deportation” and “never complained of any mistreatment.”

However, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir appeared to contradict that stance, saying he was “proud” of the harsh treatment. “Anyone who supports terrorism is a terrorist and deserves the conditions of terrorists,” Ben-Gvir said. “If they thought they’d be greeted with a red carpet—they were mistaken.”

He was also filmed mocking activists as they were brought ashore.
Israel’s handling of the flotilla arrests drew sharp condemnation from Pakistan, Turkiye, and Colombia, as well as a formal protest from Greece. Demonstrations in solidarity with the activists erupted across multiple countries.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that it had deported an additional 29 activists, while many others remained in detention.