Israel has deported Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and 170 other pro-Palestinian activists who were detained when Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla trying to breach its naval blockade of Gaza to deliver aid last week.
Thunberg raised her fist as she was presented with flowers and cheered by dozens of supporters who had gathered at Athens airport.
The Israeli foreign minister stated that the activists had been flown to Greece and Slovakia, and that citizens from various countries including Greece, Slovakia, France, Italy, the UK, and the US were among them.
The ministry has also disputed claims that the activists were mistreated during their detention, labeling such accusations as fake news.
So far, the ministry announced the deportations of 341 of the 479 people who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF). The remaining activists are still in detention in Israel. Reports indicate that over 40 of these detainees began a hunger strike on Sunday.
The GSF stated their mission aimed to break the illegal siege on Gaza by sea, open a humanitarian corridor, and end the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people. They accused Israeli forces of violating international maritime and humanitarian law.
Israeli authorities maintained that they were enforcing a legal blockade, characterizing the flotilla as a publicity stunt due to its small amount of aid transported.
The ministry announced that Thunberg was among 161 citizens of 16 European nations flown to Athens on Monday after being deported. Slovakian officials confirmed they received 10 activists on a separate flight.
Upon arrival, Thunberg stated the GSF represented the largest attempt to break what she termed Israel's illegal and inhumane siege. In her statement, she emphasized the solidarity shown by the international community as a crucial factor when governmental actions failed.
Meanwhile, testimonies from deported activists suggested severe mistreatment during detention. Spanish lawyer Rafael Borrego mentioned physical and psychological abuse, while Swiss nationals described inhumane conditions and degrading treatment as they returned to Geneva.
The Israeli foreign ministry responded, asserting the activists' legal rights were upheld and dismissing allegations of mistreatment as a part of a pre-planned fake news campaign. The ministry did acknowledge that a single violent incident involved a Spanish citizen resisting the authorities during a medical examination before deportation.
The flotilla set sail at the end of last month amid warnings of famine conditions in Gaza, as reported by experts from the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Gaza's health ministry has reported numerous fatalities due to malnutrition in the ongoing conflict.
The UN has urged Israel to lift the blockade and allow humanitarian aid to enter, reinforcing that as the occupying power, Israel is required under international law to ensure basic supplies reach the Gazan population.
Ongoing tensions in the region have seen Israeli military operations intensifying following a Hamas-led attack resulting in significant casualties.
