Flotilla Activist Arrested After Biting Female Guard at Israeli Prison

A pro-Palestinian activist who was part of the recent Gaza flotilla and detained by the Israeli Navy was arrested Sunday evening for allegedly biting a female guard at Ktzi'ot Prison. The activist was scheduled to be deported out of Israel early tomorrow morning but was instead taken into custody for questioning and will be brought before a court tomorrow.

The incident occurred following the naval operation that intercepted the "Freedom Flotilla to Gaza" last week, which saw initial boats entering Israeli territorial waters during the Yom Kippur holiday. Approximately 437 activists aboard some 40 vessels were detained during the operation.

Following the detentions, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the process of deporting the participants back to Europe would begin. While many have already been expelled, the remaining individuals are scheduled to leave in the coming days.

Conflicting Reports on Detention Conditions

The detention conditions of the activists have become a matter of diplomatic concern and have generated conflicting reports.

In response to complaints, a Greek diplomatic team visited Greek citizens being held at Ktzi'ot Prison. The team reported that the detainees were in good condition, their health was sound, and they were receiving everything they required. In a sign of coordination, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs is sending a special plane to Ramon Airport tomorrow to receive the Greek activists from the prison.

However, a report from the British newspaper The Guardian cited the Swedish Embassy in Israel updating the Stockholm Foreign Ministry with claims that renowned environmental activist Greta Thunberg claimed to have suffered from harsh conditions during her detention in Israel. The false claims included that Thunberg was held in a cell infested with fleas, suffered from rashes and dehydration, and was denied sufficient food and water. Another Swedish activist claimed to have seen investigators "force her to wave flags."

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs vehemently denied these allegations on their official X account. The Ministry stated: "The claims regarding the mistreatment of Greta and other detainees from the Hamas-Sumud Flotilla are gross lies. All legal rights of the detainees were fully upheld." The Ministry also noted: "Interestingly, Greta herself and other detainees insisted on extending their stay in detention." They further claimed that Greta did not complain to Israeli authorities about any of these "ridiculous and baseless allegations, because they never occurred."