Was Greta Thunberg forced to hold flags and kept in a bug‑infested cell? Here’s the short answer.

Not proven. Those allegations come from a Swedish Foreign Ministry email reported by the Guardian; Israel flatly denies them, and there’s no independent photo or video confirming the “forced to hold flags” claim. What is confirmed: Thunberg was detained when Israel intercepted a flotilla of 40+ boats headed toward Gaza, many detainees were taken to Ketziot (Ansar III) prison, and Israel’s national security minister publicly praised a hardline approach.

Read on for what’s verified, what’s disputed, and what got misstated.

The most important correction first

• The blockade is 18 years old, not 16. Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza began in 2007. Calling it “16‑year” is out of date. Source: Wikipedia overview of the blockade’s start year (en.wikipedia.org).

That’s not a small tweak. It shapes how readers understand the length and legacy of the policy at the heart of this incident.

What definitely happened

Between October 1–3, Israeli forces intercepted a large civilian flotilla—variously reported as 40–44 boats—with roughly 450–500 people on board, including Greta Thunberg. Many detainees were taken to Ketziot (also known historically as “Ansar III”), a Negev desert facility typically used for Palestinian security prisoners. Deportations began soon after, with groups of activists flown out in stages. Sources: AP, Reuters, Al Jazeera, Anadolu Agency.

• Interceptions and detentions: AP, Al Jazeera
• Detention site (Ketziot/Ansar III): Anadolu Agency, Wikipedia
• Deportations underway: Reuters, Reuters update

One more thing that is on the record: Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir praised the handling of the detainees and labeled the flotilla participants “supporters of terrorism.” That hardline framing was widely reported. Source: AP.

The claims about Thunberg’s treatment — what we know and what we don’t

Here’s where things get murkier.

• A Swedish Foreign Ministry email, seen by the Guardian, says Thunberg reported dehydration, insufficient food and water, rashes she suspected were from bedbugs, and long periods sitting on hard surfaces. The same email relayed that another detainee claimed she was “forced to hold flags while pictures were taken,” but the email did not identify the flags. Source: The Guardian.

• Israel denies all of it. The Foreign Ministry called abuse claims “brazen lies” and said all legal rights were upheld, adding that Thunberg had not lodged such complaints with Israeli authorities. Sources: Washington Post/AP syndication.

• About the “flag photos”: Some secondary outlets claimed they were Israeli flags. The Guardian’s own reporting says the flag identity was “unknown.” No independent images have surfaced showing Thunberg being forced to hold any flag. Israel has circulated a photo of her near an Israeli flag, which is not the same as holding one. Verdict: unverified claim, disputed by Israel.

Accounts from other detainees — detailed, but contested

Several participants have alleged harsh treatment.

• Italian journalist Saverio Tommasi told AP he saw Thunberg at a port with her arms tied and an Israeli flag next to her, calling it “mockery,” and he said medicines were withheld from detainees. Source: AP.

• Journalist Lorenzo D’Agostino described repeated nighttime wake‑ups, intimidation with dogs, and guards pointing gun laser sights to scare detainees. Source: AP/Washington Post.

• Legal NGO Adalah reported systematic violations: prolonged zip‑tying/kneeling, denial of water and bathrooms, lack of immediate legal access. Source: Irish Times summary of Adalah’s claims.

Israel disputes these accounts.

Ersin Çelik, a Turkish activist, alleged Thunberg was dragged by her hair and forced to kiss a flag. Such claims have not been independently corroborated and are denied by Israeli officials.

The fight over where the boats were stopped

Flotilla organizers and rights groups say interceptions happened about 70–80 miles off Gaza—international waters. Several outlets reported that claim but could not independently verify exact positions. Israel defends the actions under the blockade’s legal framework. Sources: Al Jazeera.

Bottom line: The “international waters” detail is plausible but not conclusively verified by neutral, independent data in the public domain.

What we can say with confidence

• Verified

  • Thunberg was detained during Israel’s Oct 1–3 interceptions of a large flotilla. AP, Al Jazeera
  • Many detainees were held at Ketziot (Ansar III) prison. Anadolu
  • Ben‑Gvir publicly lauded “tough” treatment. AP
  • Deportations are ongoing in waves. Reuters

• Corrections to the original article

  • Blockade length: It’s been about 18 years (since 2007), not 16. Wikipedia
  • Exact headcount: Numbers vary (roughly 450–500 detainees; 40–44 boats). Treat as approximate. The Guardian, AP
  • Flag identity: The Guardian’s source said “flags,” identity unknown. The stronger “Israeli flags” claim comes from secondary outlets and remains unverified. The Guardian

What needs more evidence

• Bedbugs, dehydration, and deliberate food/water deprivation directed at Thunberg specifically: reported via a Swedish diplomatic email; no independent corroboration; denied by Israel. The Guardian, Washington Post/AP

• Forced flag‑holding photos: no publicly available images; Israel denies staging. The Guardian

• Hair‑dragging/forced to kiss a flag: reported by an activist; unverified elsewhere; denied by Israel.

• Exact location of boardings: widely claimed as international waters by organizers; independent position data not confirmed in mainstream reports. Al Jazeera

The narrative behind the headlines

If you’re looking for a single image to explain the confusion, it’s this: a widely circulated photo of Greta Thunberg standing near an Israeli flag at a port. To some, that looked like coercion; to others, it was routine processing next to official symbols. The more sensational claim—that she was forced to hold flags for photos—appears only in secondhand accounts filtered through a Swedish diplomatic email and has not been backed by independent visuals.

Meanwhile, the politics are not subtle. While detainees describe zip ties, sleep disruption, and humiliation, the national security minister publicly applauds “tough” treatment. That dissonance—detailed abuse claims vs. emphatic official pride—explains why this story has gripped attention far beyond the flotilla itself.

How we verified this

• Cross‑checked the flotilla timeline and detainee numbers with wire services known for cautious sourcing: AP, Reuters.

• Read the Guardian’s reporting on the Swedish Foreign Ministry email to understand precisely what was alleged—and what was not (notably the “unknown” flag identity): The Guardian.

• Reviewed official denials and statements via AP/Washington Post syndication and Israeli outlets: Washington Post/AP.

• Looked for corroborating images or video specifically showing “forced flag‑holding.” None have surfaced in credible outlets as of publication.

What to watch next

• Whether Sweden or other governments release more documentation of consular visits.
• Any independent imagery from ports, buses, or inside detention facilities that could verify or falsify key claims.
• Legal filings by NGOs such as Adalah and potential prison‑oversight investigations.
• Additional deportee testimonies and whether they align—or diverge—on specific details.

The takeaway

• Confirmed: Thunberg was detained in Israel after the flotilla interceptions; many detainees went to Ketziot; deportations are ongoing; Israel’s senior leadership signaled a hard line.
• Unproven: That she was forced to hold flags or kept in a bug‑infested cell with little food/water. Those are claims reported via a diplomatic channel, denied by Israel, and not backed by independent evidence at this time.

Until stronger proof emerges, treat the most dramatic details as allegations—not facts.