Nearly 200 Gaza flotilla activists, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were deported from Israel on Monday (US time). Israeli authorities intercepted the participants while they were out on their humanitarian mission to deliver aid to Gaza. Members of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) even livestreamed throughout their journey, promptly informing the world of any hindrances they encountered along the way via their social media platforms.

Maintaining a long streak of contradictions, the Gaza-bound activists and Israeli forces’ statements on the widely publicised developments differ altogether. While pro-Palestinian activists reiterated that Israel’s authorities broke international humanitarian law by intercepting their boats, the other side claimed that the flotilla participants sought to breach a Israel’s legal blockade of Gaza.

In a more recent update, the country has since deported the detained activists. As a result, Thunberg, among many others subsequently arrived at Athens airport, where they received a warm welcome backed by bouquets of flowers and the cheers of dozens of supporters. According to the Israeli foreign minister, the international activists had since been transferred to Greece and Slovakia.

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Greta Thunberg speaks out after alleged mistreatment in Israel custody

In the meantime, some GSF participants who over were arrested last week have alleged mistreatment at the hands of Israeli forces while in custody. Nonetheless, Thunberg turned the public focus away from their arrests, and back to the group’s mission.

After her arrival in Athens, she hailed the GSF’s efforts as the “the biggest ever attempt to break Israel’s illegal and inhumane siege by sea.” The Swedish activist further told reporters, “It was a story of global, international solidarity, of people stepping up when our governments failed to do so, of people saying that: ‘My so-called leaders – who were supposed to represent me, who continue to fuel a genocide, death and destruction – they do not represent me. This is a last resort. That this mission has to exist is a shame.”

She went on to say while she could on and on about their alleged mistreatment, abuses and imprisonment, “but that is not the story.” During her first appearance after being detained by the Israeli forces, she went on, “Let me be very clear: there is a genocide going on in front of our very eyes, a live-streamed genocide. No one has the privilege to say we are not aware of what’s happening. No one in the future will be able to say we did not know.”

Greta doubled down on accusing Israel of “continuing to worsen and escalate their genocide and mass destruction with genocide of intent, attempting to erase an entire population, an entire nation in front of you.” She insisted that all focus should be on Gaza and other places in the world facing such suffering, adding, “What we are doing is the bare minimum.”

“I will never comprehend how humans can be so evil. That you would deliberately starve millions of people living trapped under an illegal siege as a continuation of decades of oppression and apartheid.”

Gaza aid flotilla mistreated by Israeli forces?

Rafael Borrego, a lawyer among those deported on Monday, said the flotilla members had suffered “repeated physical and mental abuse,” according to BBC. “They beat us, dragged us along the ground, blindfolded us, tied our hands and feet, put us in cages and insulted us,” he added.

Miriam Azem, the spokeswoman for the legal organisation Adalah, which is representing flotilla members, relayed the allegations raised by activists in an interview over the weekend, claiming they were forced to stay on their knees with their hands tied up for hours.

Flotilla members further claimed that they were held in overcrowded cells, and even denied drinking water, with some even suggesting food and medication were also denied, as per the New York Times’ report.

Greta Thunberg mistreated after flotilla detention: Swedish officials

The foreign ministry of Thunberg’s country previously said in an email obtained by the Guardian that the embassy had been able to meet her after the activists were detained. “She reported dehydration and said she has received insufficient amounts of both water and food. She also stated that she had developed rashes, which she suspects were caused by bedbugs,” read the statement. “She described harsh treatment and said she had been sitting for long periods on hard surfaces.”

At the time, Flotilla witnesses also alleged that the young Swedish participant had been dragged by her hair, beaten and forced to kiss the Israeli flag. “They did everything imaginable to her, as a warning to others,” said Turkish activist Ersin Çelik, with journalist Lorenzo D’Agostino adding she was “wrapped in the Israeli flag and paraded like a trophy.”

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Israeli forces retaliate

The Israeli government, on the other hand, has slammed the allegations, calling them “fake news.” Moreover, the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement, “All legal rights of the participants in the PR stunt were and will continue to be fully upheld.”

The ministry insisted that only one violent incident took place during these series of events. It allegedly ensued as a Spanish national bit a woman medical worker at Ketziot prison after a routine medical examination before the deportation. As per the Israeli side, the medic sustained minor injuries.