Israel is reportedly considering placing Greta Thunberg in a high-security cell after she launched a new Gaza-bound “Freedom Flotilla” today, weeks after her detainment by Israel in international waters.
Thunberg, at age 22, plans to lead the Global Sumud Flotilla from Barcelona with the goal of delivering aid to the Gaza population, who are suffering from famine due to Israel’s military actions in the area. The mission includes participation from Liam Cunningham, known for his role in Game of Thrones, and Ada Colau, the former mayor of Barcelona, among others.
Her initial effort to reach Gaza in June—beginning from Italy—was intercepted by Israeli forces, who boarded her vessel in international waters and detained her. Thunberg and 11 others were brought to Israel and faced the choice of deportation or arrest.
This time, many more ships are expected to depart for Gaza from Tunisia and various Mediterranean ports on September 4 as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, endeavoring to break the blockade on the city ravaged by conflict.
However, Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, is reportedly devising a proposal for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to imprison the activists under stringent “terrorist-level” conditions at the Ktzi’ot and Damon detention centers for women, as stated by Israel Hayom.
The plan also includes seizing dozens of vessels and using them to establish a ‘maritime force for police operations’.
Individuals close to Ben-Gvir told Israel Hayom, “After spending several weeks at Ktzi’ot and Damon, they will regret ever coming here. We need to make them think twice about attempting this again.”
Ahead of the departure from Barcelona port, Thunberg told Iranian Press TV that the flotillas aim to ‘deliver humanitarian aid and break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza and open up a people’s humanitarian corridor’.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg waves while departing on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian expedition to Gaza, at the port of Barcelona, Spain August 31, 2025
Activists wave Palestinian flags as they depart on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian expedition to Gaza, at the port of Barcelona, Spain August 31, 2025
People gesture on the day of the departure of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian expedition to Gaza, at the port of Barcelona, Spain August 31, 2025
The activist said that more than 26,000 people signed up to join the mission to break the siege on Gaza.
She said: ‘This project is part of a global uprising of people standing up… when our governments fail to step up, the people will take their place, and that their atrocities and their complicity in the genocide in Gaza right now.. is not something that we can stand for.’
Previously, Thunberg and three others agreed to be removed from Israel, while the others were further held.
She said in a promotional video for her latest attempt to reach Gaza: ‘It should not have to be up to us. A mission like this should not have to exist.
‘It is the responsibility of countries, of our governments and elected officials to act to try to uphold international law, to prevent war crimes, to prevent genocide.
‘That is their legal duty to do. And they are failing to do so, thereby betraying Palestinians but also all of humanity.’
The latest attempt will see her and an unknown number of people attempt to reach Gaza, but a larger number of activists are expected.
Before setting off, she defended her actions against accusations of anti-Semetism, telling Sky News this weekend: ‘It is not antisemitic to say that we should not be bombing people, that one should not be living in occupation, that everyone should have the right to live in freedom and dignity, no matter who you are.’
The blockade has been in place since 2007 and boats attempting to cross in the past have been blocked by Israel.
In 2010 a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was raided by Israeli special forces, killing eight Turkish activists and an American-Turkish teenager.
Despite the dangers, Thunberg said she was more concerned by the ‘silence of the world’ about what is happening in the region.
She added: ‘I’m terrified to see that we seem to have lost all the humanity that we have, and there seems to be no compassion left in the world amongst the vast majority of people who are able to sit on the couch and watch the genocide unfold that I am terrified for.’
Thunberg claimed Israel’s continuation of the blockade was a violation of international law.
The newest Freedom Flotilla is unlikely to be more successful on its newest voyage, with Israeli officials prepared to uphold the blockade.
In a statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said: ‘The IDF enforces the security naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a wide range of scenarios, which it will act upon in accordance with the directives of the political echelon.’
