Greta Thunberg detained by Israeli authorities in October 2025 while participating in the Gaza Flotilla 2025 sparked international attention. The Thunberg detention involved harsh conditions and deportation alongside other activists. The Greta Thunberg detention during the flotilla 2025 highlighted humanitarian and legal concerns surrounding the Israeli naval blockade. [1][2][3]
Detention and Deportation
- Greta Thunberg was detained by Israeli authorities in early October 2025 after participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian effort to break the Israeli naval blockade and deliver aid to Gaza.
- About 478 activists from 42 vessels were detained; approximately 170 were deported with Thunberg on October 6, 2025, mainly to Greece and Slovakia.
- Around 138 activists remained in Israeli custody post-deportation, held in Ketziot prison under reported substandard conditions.[1][3][5]
Legal and Custodial Status
- Official court records indicate Thunberg made no formal complaints regarding her treatment during detention.
- She reportedly declined expedited deportation, choosing instead to remain in custody longer to support other detainees.
- Israeli authorities maintain that detainees’ legal rights were respected and refuse allegations of mistreatment, calling such claims “brazen lies” and “fake news”.[3][1]
Allegations of Mistreatment and Conditions
- Multiple activists, including Thunberg, described harsh conditions and abuse: being forced to pose with Israeli flags, verbal abuse, denial of food, water, and medication.
- Thunberg detailed physical abuse including being kicked, beaten, forced to undress, and held in insect-infested cells.
- She reported verbal insults in Swedish and described an intimidating atmosphere with Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir personally berating detainees.
- Other detainees corroborated claims of physical and psychological abuse, including use of dogs, forced kneeling, and confiscation of possessions.[2][4][6][7][8]



