Israel has deported Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and 170 other pro-Palestinian activists who were detained when Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla trying to breach its naval blockade of Gaza to deliver aid last week.
Thunberg raised her fist as she was presented with flowers and cheered by dozens of supporters who had gathered at Athens airport.
The Israeli foreign minister confirmed that the activists had been flown to Greece and Slovakia, including citizens from Greece, Slovakia, France, Italy, the UK, and the US.
It also rejected accusations of mistreatment and denial of basic rights during detention as fake news. So far, Israel has announced the deportation of 341 of the 479 activists who were aboard the flotilla, while 138 remain in detention, with reports indicating that over 40 of them are on hunger strike.
The Global Sumud Flotilla aimed to break the blockade on Gaza and establish a humanitarian corridor amid accusations of ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.
Israeli authorities labeled the flotilla a publicity stunt, asserting that it was transporting only two tons of aid. They maintain that the blockade is legal and necessary for security.
Thunberg was among 161 citizens from 16 European countries flown back to Athens after the deportations. She stated that the flotilla was the largest attempt to breach Israel's blockade, emphasizing global solidarity and the failures of governments to act on humanitarian crises.
However, former detainees have alleged mistreatment during their detention, including physical and mental abuse, a claim the Israeli government disputes.
The International community continues to call for the lifting of the blockade and the need for life-saving materials to be allowed into Gaza, while the situation remains tense following ongoing conflicts.
