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Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City

Greta Thunberg welcomed in Athens after Gaza flotilla deportation

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Oct 2025 08:58
3 Min Read

Greta Thunberg and dozens of Gaza aid flotilla activists abducted by "Israel" arrive in Athens after the occupation forcibly stopped their humanitarian mission.

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    Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg raises her fist upon arrival alongside activists who were sailing aboard vessels from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla before being stopped and detained by Israeli forces, greeted by a crowd of supporters, at the arrivals area of Athens International Airport on October 6, 2025. (AFP)

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg received a warm welcome from a cheering pro-Palestinian crowd upon arriving in Athens on Monday. The 22-year-old was among hundreds of international activists who were deported by "Israel" after participating in the Gaza aid flotilla, which aimed to break the illegal blockade imposed on the besieged Palestinian enclave.

The Greek Foreign Ministry confirmed that 161 activists arrived on a flight to Athens, including Thunberg, 27 Greek nationals, and citizens from nearly 20 other countries.

"Israel" said on Monday that it had expelled 171 activists, including Thunberg, raising the total number of deported individuals to 341 out of the 479 detained during the Israeli occupation's illegal boarding of the flotilla. The activists had been attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and highlight the conditions faced by its 2.2 million residents under the blockade.

The flotilla consisted of numerous vessels, organized as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla campaign, and sought to challenge international inaction regarding the situation in Palestine.

Read more: Swiss Gaza aid flotilla activists decry 'inhumane detention’

Activists allege mistreatment during Israeli detention

Following her arrival, Thunberg addressed the crowd at Athens airport, condemning the genocide in Gaza.

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"Let me be very clear. There is a genocide going on," she said. "Our international systems are betraying Palestinians. They are not even able to prevent the worst war crimes from happening."

She stated that the flotilla's aim was to "step up when our governments failed to do their legal obligation." Thunberg also mentioned her detention, but emphasized that the broader story was the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Thunberg continued, "What happened here was that Israel... once again violated international law by preventing humanitarian aid from getting into Gaza while people are being starved."

Greta Thunberg in Greece:

I could talk for a very, very long time about our mistreatment and abuses in our imprisonment. Trust me, but that is not the story.

Israel is escalating genocide and mass destruction with genocidal intent, attempting to erase an entire population in… pic.twitter.com/nhpDtCXmiK

— Global Sumud Flotilla (@GlobalSumud) October 6, 2025

Swiss and Spanish activists describe abuses

Several flotilla participants, including Swiss and Spanish nationals, have alleged mistreatment during Israeli detention. Swiss activists reported sleep deprivation, lack of water and food, beatings, and being locked in cages after being held at the Ktzi'ot prison.

Spanish lawyer Rafael Borrego, speaking at Madrid’s airport after his deportation, said, "They beat us, dragged us along the ground, blindfolded us, tied our hands and feet, put us in cages and insulted us."

Swedish activists also claimed that Thunberg was shoved and forced to wear an "Israeli" flag during detention. Some reported having clean food and water withheld, while others said medication and personal belongings were confiscated.

Former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, also part of the flotilla, acknowledged instances of mistreatment but emphasized the disparity between the activists' experience and the suffering endured by Palestinians. "There had been mistreatment, but that was nothing compared to what the Palestinian people suffer every day."

Read more: Human Rights Watch urges immediate action to protect Gaza civilians

  • war on Gaza
  • Greta Thunberg
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