On Monday, Israel announced the deportation of 171 additional activists from the “Global Solidarity Fleet,” which aimed to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, including the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry reported on X that “172 additional provocateurs from the Hamas-Solidarity Fleet, including Greta Thunberg, were deported today from Israel to Greece and Slovakia.”
It was further noted that the deported individuals held citizenship from various countries, including Greece, Italy, France, the United States, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Thunberg was seen alongside two other women, walking in gray outfits designated for detainees in Israeli prisons, according to pictures released by the ministry that did not specify the location of the airport. The ministry confirmed to AFP that 138 members of the fleet are still in custody under Israeli authorities.
The fleet, consisting of over 40 ships and boats, set sail last month towards Gaza, carrying international activists and humanitarian aid for the Palestinian sector, which has faced a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing conflict over the past two years.
However, the Israeli naval forces intercepted the fleet and detained over 400 individuals aboard, beginning their deportations on Friday.
The Greek Foreign Ministry announced that 161 of the 171 activists expelled by Israel arrived at Athens International Airport on Monday afternoon.
In a brief statement, it was mentioned that a “special flight” landed in Athens carrying “27 Greek citizens who participated in the ‘Global Solidarity Fleet'” along with 134 “citizens from 15 European countries.”
They were welcomed by Palestinian supporters at Athens International Airport, where a large Palestinian flag was raised during chants of “Free Palestine” and “Long live the fleet,” according to an AFP correspondent.
While the Greek Foreign Ministry did not specify the nationalities of the other activists, the Swedish branch of the “Global Movement for Gaza” reported that Swedish citizens were among those on the flight.
On Saturday, 137 activists from 13 countries arrived in Istanbul, including 36 Turkish citizens. Some reported experiencing violence and being treated “like animals.”
On Sunday, a group of 21 out of 49 Spaniards from the fleet landed at Madrid Airport, with some accusing Israel of “physical and psychological abuse.”
In its Monday statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry asserted that “all legal rights of the participants in this media stunt have been fully respected and will continue to be.” They added, “The lies they promote are part of a pre-planned disinformation campaign.”