Details of harsh treatment have emerged.
Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, was reportedly detained by Israeli authorities in a cell she described as infested with bedbugs. The detention occurred while she attempted to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza, a region struggling under a blockade that has caused widespread food shortages, malnutrition, and disease. Thunberg has previously made several efforts to enter Gaza to support people affected by the ongoing conflict.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, roughly one in three residents in Gaza go without food for days, prompting officials to warn of a looming humanitarian catastrophe. Thunberg was part of the latest aid mission aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which consisted of over 40 boats and around 450 activists carrying symbolic humanitarian supplies. Reports indicate that Israeli forces intercepted at least 39 of the vessels.
After her detention, Thunberg posted a video claiming she had been abducted. Swedish authorities confirmed that she had met with embassy officials, describing her situation in custody as harsh. She reportedly suffered from dehydration and rashes she suspected were caused by bedbugs, and she received insufficient food and water. Additionally, she alleged that she was made to sit for long periods on hard surfaces. Other reports suggested she had been forced to hold flags while photographs were taken, though the details of the flags remain unclear.
The Swedish foreign ministry reached out to Thunberg’s close contacts to provide updates on her condition. Embassy officials noted her concern that images of her in captivity might have been distributed. Former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and European Parliament member Rima Hassan were among the other detainees involved in the mission.
Israeli authorities have denied all accusations, calling them false. A spokesperson stated that all flotilla detainees were provided with food, water, medical care, and their legal rights were fully respected.
The incident has drawn international attention to both Thunberg’s activism and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As global concern grows, the events surrounding the flotilla highlight the ongoing challenges faced by activists attempting to provide aid in conflict zones and the complex geopolitical tensions that accompany such missions.
