The Global Sumud flotilla set sail on October 1, 2025, with 42 vessels carrying 479 activists, lawmakers and aid workers seeking to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza and protest Israel’s 16-year naval blockade. On October 2–3, Israeli naval forces intercepted the flotilla approximately 70 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast. All participants were brought to Ketziot prison in the Negev Desert for immigration processing and potential deportation.[1]
Reports of Harsh Detention Conditions
Bedbug Infestation, Dehydration and Insufficient Food
Swedish embassy officials met with Greta Thunberg in custody and reported she was held in a cell infested with bedbugs, which caused allergic rashes. Thunberg also described severe dehydration and limited meals. Lawyers from the Adalah Legal Centre confirmed that many detainees endured hours without food or water; Thunberg received only a small packet of crisps shown on camera.[1]
Forced Flag Display and Public Humiliation
Eyewitnesses allege that Israeli forces compelled Thunberg to hold and kiss an Israeli flag for photographs. Turkish activist Ersin Çelik stated she was “dragged by her hair, beaten and forced to kiss the flag as a warning to others.” Italian journalist Lorenzo D’Agostino recalled seeing her wrapped in the flag and paraded before detainees.[2]
Physical Restraint and Sleep Deprivation
Testimonies describe detainees bound with tight handcuffs causing pain and denied rest for prolonged periods. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reportedly labeled the activists “terrorists” during a public appearance at Ashdod port, intensifying the group’s humiliation.[3]
Israeli Authorities’ Official Statement
The Israeli Foreign Ministry and Prison Service categorically reject all allegations of abuse. They assert every detainee was provided with water, food, sanitation facilities, medical care and access to legal counsel in compliance with international norms. Israel maintains the flotilla represented a breach attempt orchestrated by Hamas affiliates and defends its blockade as lawful self-defense.[4][2]
Deportation and Legal Considerations
By October 6, Israeli authorities had deported 341 participants to destinations including Greece, France, Italy, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States. One hundred thirty-eight activists remain in detention; some have initiated hunger strikes demanding humane treatment and expedited legal review. Sweden’s embassy in Tel Aviv has urged Israeli officials to address detainees’ medical needs and guarantee legal representation for its nine citizens, including Thunberg.[2][4]



