Israel expels Sumud Flotilla participants to Europe Including Greta Thunberg

Israeli authorities have deported another 171 people detained during the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla en route to the Gaza Strip, with the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg among them.

“171 additional provocateurs from the Hamas–Sumud flotilla, including Greta Thunberg, were deported today from Israel to Greece and Slovakia,” Caliber.Az quotes the Israeli Foreign Ministry as saying on X.

171 additional provocateurs from the Hamas–Sumud flotilla, including Greta Thunberg, were deported today from Israel to Greece and Slovakia.

The deportees are citizens of Greece, Italy, France, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland,… pic.twitter.com/DqcGLOJov7

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 6, 2025

The ministry's press service specified that the activists come from various countries, including Greece, Italy, France, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, and Germany.

In addition, the post on X said that the flotilla's crew also included citizens of Bulgaria, Lithuania, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Denmark, Slovakia, Switzerland, Norway, the UK, Serbia, and the US.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission aiming to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, set sail in late August 2025. Organized by civil society groups from over 44 countries, the flotilla comprised more than 40 vessels and approximately 500 participants, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. The mission's goal was to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and establish a people-led humanitarian corridor.

On October 1-2, the Israeli Navy intercepted all vessels of the flotilla in international waters, detaining hundreds of activists.

Detainees, including Greta Thunberg, reported poor conditions in detention, such as lack of clean water, legal access, and alleged abuse. Thunberg was detained at Ketziot prison in the Negev desert, where she reportedly experienced dehydration, lack of food, and exposure to bedbugs. She also claimed mistreatment and being forced to pose with unidentified flags.

Israel's Foreign Ministry denied these allegations, asserting that detainees' rights were fully respected and accusing Thunberg of fabricating the claims.

By Khagan Isayev