Gaza Flotilla Activists Report Systematic Abuse in Israeli Detention: Allegations of Beatings, Humiliation, and Rights Violations

Israeli forces intercepted a humanitarian flotilla attempting to reach Gaza last week, detaining over 400 activists including Greta Thunberg, who are now coming forward with serious allegations of mistreatment during detention.

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which sought to challenge Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza, was stopped at sea. Most detainees were subsequently held at Ketziot, a high-security facility in the Negev desert typically housing Palestinians accused of terrorist activities.

Turkish activist Ersin Celik reported to Anadolu news agency that Thunberg faced severe mistreatment. "They severely tortured Greta before our eyes," Celik stated. "They persecuted her—Greta is just a little child. They made her crawl and made her kiss the Israeli flag. They did exactly what the Nazis did once."

The Swedish foreign ministry confirmed via email that Thunberg had been forced "to hold flags" and was "detained in a cell infested with bedbugs, with too little food and water."

Detainees described a pattern of abuse including sleep deprivation, withholding medication, physical assaults, threats with weapons, dog intimidation, verbal harassment, and being forced to watch footage of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, according to The Guardian.

Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi told The Guardian: "I was beaten from the moment we entered the port until the very end. Blows to my back, blows to my head, and they [the Israeli soldiers] laughed, laughed at all of it. Anyone who failed to keep their eyes down was punished with a hit to the head."

Spanish activist Rafael Borrego described routine intimidation: "At any time that any of us called a police officer, we risked that seven or more fully armed people entered our cell, pointing us with weapons at our heads, with dogs ready to attack us, and being dragged to the floor. This happened on a daily basis."

Former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau characterized the facility as a "prison of a fascist state," noting that her cell yard displayed a large photograph of bombed Gaza captioned: "Welcome to the new Gaza." She added, "When we asked for a doctor, we were told that that was for humans."

Reports indicate that one activist suffered shoulder and rib injuries during the interception and was subsequently subjected to verbal abuse, denied clean water, and deliberately kept awake in detention.

Italian journalist Lorenzo D'Agostino claimed that detainees requiring urgent medication were ignored. He also corroborated reports of Thunberg receiving particularly harsh treatment: "I saw with my own eyes that they draped an Israeli flag over her while soldiers took selfies with her. Greta is a strong and courageous woman, but during detention she looked deeply shaken."

Israeli authorities have categorically denied these allegations, calling them "complete lies." National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed pride in the Ketziot staff's conduct, adding, "They should get a good feel for the conditions in Ketziot prison and think twice before they approach Israel again," according to PBS.

Of the 479 initial detainees, 341 have now been deported, including nationals from Turkey, the United States, United Arab Emirates, and several other countries. Meanwhile, a new Turkish flotilla comprising 250 doctors, nurses, and journalists is reportedly heading toward Gaza on a converted hospital ferry.