Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has told her country’s officials she is being held in harsh conditions after being detained by Israeli authorities during an attempt to reach Gaza aboard a humanitarian flotilla.
According to a report by The Guardian on Saturday, Thunberg told Swedish representatives she was being kept in a cell infested with bedbugs, had been given inadequate food and water, and had developed rashes and dehydration.
The information was contained in correspondence seen by The Guardian between Thunberg and Swedish officials, who were able to meet with her following her detention.
Thunberg reportedly said she was asked by Israeli authorities to sign a document she did not understand and refused to do so. Another detainee told The Guardian that Thunberg was made to hold flags while being photographed by security forces.
The 22-year-old activist was among 437 people, including parliamentarians, lawyers, and other campaigners, aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla that set sail earlier this week, aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid, was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters and redirected to the port of Ashdod, where all those on board were detained.
According to The Guardian, lawyers representing the detainees have accused Israel of denying access to legal counsel, medication, and sanitation facilities. They also claim that several detainees were subjected to verbal abuse and, in some cases, physical mistreatment while in custody.
Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, was filmed addressing the flotilla participants at Ashdod port, calling them "terrorists". In a separate statement, he praised Israeli forces for "defending the country against provocations designed to aid Hamas".
Sweden’s foreign ministry confirmed that its embassy officials in Tel Aviv had met Thunberg and were following her case closely, according to The Guardian. A spokesperson said Stockholm was "in contact with the Israeli authorities and providing consular support as required".
The flotilla included participants from more than 20 countries and had set sail from Cyprus.
Organisers said the aim was to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza and draw attention to the collective punishment of the territory’s population amid Israel’s ongoing military assault.
Thunberg and her fellow activists' detention has sparked criticism from rights organisations and social media users, who accused Israel of mistreating peaceful activists. Israeli officials have not publicly commented on her allegations of poor detention conditions.
The activists remain in custody while Israeli authorities process their cases under maritime and security law.