Israel has been accused of holding Greta Thunberg in a “bedbug-infested cell” after the activist claimed she had been “abducted” by the country.
Thunberg has made several attempts to enter Gaza to deliver aid to those suffering under the blockade imposed by Israeli forces.
Reports indicate “widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease” in Gaza as the conflict with Israel continues.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), one in three people in Gaza are going without food for days at a time, as officials warn of a “humanitarian catastrophe” in the war-torn region.
Various organizations have been working to deliver aid to those in need, with Thunberg among those involved in the efforts — though the 22-year-old’s latest attempt reportedly didn’t go as planned.
Thunberg — who was previously “kidnapped” by Israeli forces after the Freedom Flotilla boat she was aboard was intercepted — recently posted a video on social media claiming she had been “abducted.”
According to correspondence obtained by The Guardian, Israeli forces allegedly compelled Thunberg to “hold flags” while in custody, though the nature or identity of the flags remains unclear.
Meanwhile, an email from the Swedish foreign ministry to those close to Thunberg revealed that an official who visited her in prison reported her cell was “infested with bedbugs” and that she was provided with “insufficient food and water,” the outlet said.
The email stated: “The embassy has met with Greta. She reported experiencing dehydration and receiving inadequate amounts of food and water. She also said she had developed rashes, which she suspected were caused by bedbugs. She described harsh conditions and mentioned being made to sit for extended periods on hard surfaces.”
The Swedish ministry official added: “Another detainee reportedly informed a different embassy that they had seen [Thunberg] being forced to hold flags while photos were taken. She expressed concern that these images might have been circulated.”
The Israeli embassy has since rejected the allegations as “complete lies,” stating: “All detainees from the Hamas–Sumud provocation were provided with water, food, and access to toilets. They were not denied legal counsel, and all their legal rights, including access to medical care, were fully respected.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla had launched over 40 boats with nearly 450 activists on board, carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid bound for Gaza. However, the vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces, who detained dozens of participants — including several European lawmakers and Thunberg.
According to the flotilla’s organizers, at least 39 of their vessels were either intercepted or believed to have been intercepted during an overnight Israeli operation.
Alongside Thunberg, those detained included former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan.
