Greta Thunberg, detained Sumud flotilla activists, leave Israel following 'inhumane conditions’

Greta Thunberg is among dozens of activists from the Sumud flotilla for Gaza who have been deported back to their home countries, after Israeli forces intercepted their vessels and detained the passengers.

Around 70 activists will leave Israel on Monday following reports of abuse and inhumane conditions in detention.

The activists will first be flown to Greece, and then to their home countries. Footage showed Thunberg and other activists dressed in white clothes arriving at Athens Airport, from where they will depart for their homes.

The individuals - who include lawyers, humanitarian, politicians, activists, and media personnel - were aboard the 45-vessel Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to bring aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, where famine has been reported.

Israel started intercepting the ships in international waters on Wednesday, preventing the activists from reaching Gaza.

One journalist detained by Israel, Saverio Tommasi, told reporters that he was hit on the back of the head by his Israeli captors.

"We were treated like old monkeys in the worst circuses of the 1920s," he told the Ansa press agency.

Nine members of the flotilla have already arrived home in Switzerland on Sunday after being deported by Israeli authorities, with some of them also stating they faced dire conditions.

"The participants condemned the inhumane detention conditions and the humiliating and degrading treatment they suffered upon their arrest and incarceration," the Waves of Freedom flotilla group said.

Activists said they faced sleep deprivation, a lack of water and food, while some also said they were beaten, kicked, and trapped in a cage, the group said, adding they were "deeply concerned" by the situation.

Turkish activist Ersin Celik, who was with Thunberg, told reporters that Israeli authorities "dragged her on the ground, by her hair, just as the Nazis did".

Celik added that Israeli forces then transferred her to a small cell which had bedbugs, while also humiliating and abusing her, and forcing her to kiss the Israeli flag.

A Swedish activist also corroborated that Thunberg was held in terrible conditions, adding that they had minimal access to food and drink.

However, Israel’s foreign ministry said the claims were "blatant lies" and that "all legal rights of the detainees were fully preserved".

On Sunday, the Swiss Embassy in Tel Aviv visited the ten Swiss nationals in prison to provide consular protection.

"All are in relatively good health, given the circumstances," it said in a statement, adding it is doing everything possible to ensure their prompt return.

The Waves of Freedom said some have gone on hunger strike and appear weakened.