Israel Deports 170 Kidnapped Activists
Today, a total of 170 activists, including 22-year-old Swedish activist Great Thunberg, have been deported by Israel to Greece following their kidnapping and detention regarding the Freedom Flotilla Sumud mission to Gaza.
On October 1st, Israeli naval forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters, approximately 70 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza. The activists were part of a 50-ship convoy made up of 443 civilians from 44 countries, sailing to break Israel’s ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Maritime Attack, Interception and Kidnapping
The flotilla set sail in August 2025 from Barcelona, embarking on a 3,000 km (1,620 nautical mile) journey to Gaza. Along the way, it faced multiple Israeli attacks, one drone strike near the Tunisian port of Sifi Bou Said and another also in Tunisian waters, hitting the family flotilla boat and causing a fire to start on deck.
Between October 1st and 3rd, Israeli forces intercepted and kidnapped activists aboard all vessels.
Abuse in Israeli Detention
Activists have stated that they have experienced inhumane treatment whilst in Israeli custody, including physical assault, insufficient food and water and verbal and phycological abuse.
Turkish activist Ersin Çelik, told Anadolu news agency, “They dragged little Greta [Thunberg] by her hair before our eyes, beat her, and forced her to kiss the Israeli flag. They did everything imaginable to her, as a warning to others.”, whilst Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi said, “We also saw Greta Thunberg at the port, in that case with her arms tied and an Israeli flag next to her, just a mockery,” he said. “Let’s say the mockery was part of the verbal and psychological violence they always carried out, in order to demean, ridicule and laugh in situations where there is nothing to laugh about.”
The Israeli occupation clearly recognises Greta as one of the more prominent figures in the Freedom Flotilla movement. As a result, they subjected her to particularly harsh treatment - a deliberate attempt to intimidate both her and other activists by demonstrating the lengths they are willing to go.
Gaza: 218 Days Under Siege
The Freedom Flotilla mission comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Since March 2nd, 2025, Israel has imposed a complete blockade on the Gaza strip, cutting odd all entry of food, water, medical supplies, and baby formula. As of today, 218 days have passed under these conditions, clearly showing Israel is committing a genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.
International agencies have declared a famine in Gaza, with mass casualties and widespread malnutrition. Yet, no government has taken direct action to end the siege and stop the genocide, ethnic cleansing, and occupation committed by Israel on Palestine.
Civilian Action Amid Global Government Inaction
In the absence of institutional response, ordinary civilians have organised to stop Israel through nonviolent resistance, such as the Freedom Flotilla movement and peaceful protests around the world. People are aiming to bring global attention to Gaza’s and the West Bank’s suffering and demand accountability from governments complicit in the genocide.
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