Environmental activist Greta Thunberg, 22, along with 437 other activists, parliamentarians, and lawyers, reportedly experienced harsh treatment after being intercepted by the Israeli navy while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. The group was part of the 'Freedom Flotilla,' comprising over 40 vessels aiming to breach Israel's 16-year maritime blockade of the enclave. Between Wednesday and Friday, the Israeli navy intercepted all boats in international waters and arrested everyone onboard.

Most detainees are held in the Ansar III prison, a high-security facility in Israel's Negev desert typically used for Palestinian security prisoners. According to Swedish foreign ministry officials, Thunberg described her ordeal to people close to her, reporting dehydration and insufficient amounts of food and water. She also developed rashes, suspected to be caused by bedbugs, and spoke of harsh treatment, including long periods spent sitting on hard surfaces. Another detainee reportedly witnessed Thunberg being forced to hold Israeli flags while pictures were taken, raising concerns about the distribution of these images.

These claims are corroborated by accounts from other activists. Turkish activist Ersin Çelik stated, '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.' Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi, returning from detention, described Israeli soldiers withholding medicines and treating prisoners 'like monkeys.' Tommasi further noted Thunberg was singled out, recalling seeing her at the port with her arms tied and an Israeli flag next to her, describing it as a 'mockery' and part of 'verbal and psychological violence'.

Other detainees also shared experiences of mistreatment. Italian journalist Lorenzo D'Agostino reported being repeatedly woken during his two nights in captivity, intimidated with dogs, and having soldiers point laser sights of their guns at prisoners. He also claimed his belongings and money were 'stolen by the Israelis.' Activist Paolo De Montis recounted being crammed into a prison van for hours, hands secured by zip ties, enduring 'constant stress and humiliation,' being forbidden to look guards in the face, and being forced to stay on his knees for four hours, even receiving a slap on the back of the head for looking up.

In response, Israel's foreign ministry labeled the claims of mistreatment as 'brazen lies,' stating that all detainees' legal rights had been 'fully upheld.' The ministry added that Ms. Thunberg had not complained about these 'ludicrous and baseless allegations' because 'they never occurred.' Far-right Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed pride in the staff's conduct at Ketziot prison, another facility in the Negev desert. He declared, 'I was proud that we treat the 'flotilla activists' as supporters of terrorism. Anyone who supports terrorism is a terrorist and deserves the conditions of terrorists. If any of them thought they would come here and receive a red carpet and trumpets - they were mistaken. They should get a good feel for the conditions in Ketziot prison and think twice before they approach Israel again.'