Greece Confirms Return of 161 Europeans Deported by Israel Over Gaza Aid Flotilla

Greece’s foreign ministry said on Monday that 161 nationals from 16 European countries, including 27 Greeks, landed in Athens after being expelled by Israel for participating in a Gaza aid flotilla.

Israel deported more activists from the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, which had been attempting to break the Israeli blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The UN has warned of famine in the territory after two years of war.

“A special repatriation flight landed safely in Athens carrying the 27 Greek citizens who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla,” the Greek foreign ministry said, adding that 134 nationals from 15 other European countries were also on board.

According to the Swedish branch of the Global Movement for Gaza, Swedish nationals were among those deported. At Athens International Airport, activists unfurled a large Palestinian flag and chanted “Freedom for Palestine” and “Long live the flotilla,” AFP reported.

The flotilla of 45 vessels departed from Barcelona in early September and was intercepted by the Israeli navy off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza between October 1 and 3.

Israel has accused the flotilla of being linked to Hamas and said the vessels violated a restricted zone, claiming no humanitarian aid was found on board. The ships were redirected to the Israeli port of Ashdod, and more than 470 people were arrested, according to Israeli police.

The first deportations began on October 2, and 138 participants from the flotilla remain in Israeli detention, the Greek foreign ministry told AFP.