🌍 Greta Thunberg Deported from Israel After Intercepted Gaza Aid Mission 🇵🇸🚢

By Newspot Nigeria Global Desk

Global climate activist Greta Thunberg has been deported from Israel after joining a group of 11 other activists in a daring attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea — a voyage swiftly halted by Israeli naval forces. The 22-year-old Swede was reportedly flown first to France and will continue back to her home country, following the boat’s interception near the coast of Israel late Sunday night.

The activists had set sail from Catania, Sicily, aboard a vessel organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a grassroots initiative advocating an end to Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip. The group claimed the voyage was a peaceful mission aimed at delivering much-needed aid to civilians trapped in the ongoing conflict.

However, the Israeli government viewed the mission differently.

📍 The boat was redirected to Ashdod Port, where four activists, including Thunberg, accepted immediate deportation. The remaining eight are currently in Israeli custody, pending court appearances. According to the coalition, those still detained could be moved to the Ramleh detention facility unless they agree to leave the country voluntarily.

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In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the coalition condemned the seizure, calling it a “violation of international law” and demanding the release of the detainees as well as the return of the confiscated aid.

Israeli authorities, however, dismissed the action as a “publicity stunt.” A statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry criticized the effort as a shallow attempt at gaining media attention, arguing that the boat carried less than a single truckload of aid and emphasizing that over 1,200 aid trucks had entered Gaza through official crossings in just the past two weeks.

“There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve Instagram selfies,” the ministry said sharply, adding that any legitimate aid from the intercepted yacht would be transferred via official humanitarian channels.

The incident has sparked debate globally, with supporters of the activists hailing their bold gesture as a form of civil resistance, while critics accuse them of jeopardizing security and complicating ongoing aid efforts.

🎙️ Newspot Nigeria continues to monitor the fallout from this high-profile interception, which has reignited scrutiny on Israel’s Gaza blockade, the effectiveness of civil society interventions, and the evolving tactics of global activism.