The Swedish news agency TT reported on cases of abuse against activists, including Greta Thunberg, during the detention of a humanitarian flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip. Participants said Israeli soldiers allegedly pulled Thunberg's hair and forced her to kiss the Israeli flag, after which they placed her in a maximum-security prison. The incident occurred during an operation to intercept the vessels organized by the Israel Defense Forces.

Between October 2 and 3, Israeli forces stopped all six vessels of the "Fortitude" flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The operation resulted in the arrest of approximately 450 people, including prominent activists, European parliamentarians, and human rights defenders. The flotilla, initiated by a coalition of international organizations, planned to break the naval blockade of the Strip by delivering medicine, food, and construction materials. Israeli authorities stated that the vessels were intercepted in international waters without incident, and those detained received the necessary assistance.

However, upon arrival in Turkey, where most of the activists were deported, the participants began sharing accounts of abuses. They claim they were denied water, food, and medical care during their detention, and some were subjected to physical violence. Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who was on board one of the ships, allegedly suffered particularly severely: she was allegedly forced to kiss the Israeli flag and dragged by the hair. She and others were then placed in a maximum-security Israeli prison, where conditions were "unacceptable," including complaints of bedbugs and a lack of basic amenities.

Representatives of the detainees, including Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela, have announced plans to file a complaint with the UN alleging ill-treatment.

"We will file a formal complaint with the UN Human Rights Council to investigate all violations." — the activists noted in a joint statement.