Irish members of the Global Sumud Flotilla are en route home, following their detention in Israel.
The 39 boats sailed towards Gaza with the intention of delivering food and medicine to the region, amid reports of widespread famine.
The boats were intercepted by the Israeli Defence Forces, and activists were detained in Israeli prisons.
170 participants in the flotilla were deported to Greece last night, from which their journeys home are being arranged with the help of national representatives.
Human rights activist Caoimhe Butterly said that flotilla members were in good spirits, despite being “very tired, and I’d say, quite shell-shocked".
“They’ve been out of communication with their families for the last few days,” she told The Hard Shoulder.
“So, [they] understandably are concerned about the anxiety and worry of those back home who have had no clear news about their welfare over the last few days.
“People are borrowing the one telephone that is in circulation, calling loved ones, sifting through unfortunately vandalised belongings, and just trying to get orientation.”
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According to Ms Butterly, the “overwhelming feedback” activists have relayed about their treatment in Israeli prisons is that of physical abuse, “particularly focused on men”.
“There are accounts of men having their heads smashed against concrete walls, people being held in stress positions for over 24 hours, kneeling with their hands cuffed behind them in the sun, not being allowed to drink water,” she said.
“In a few cases, that was for over 24 hours, and when they requested it, were told to drink toilet water.
“There’s also been accounts from a lot of the women of punitive behaviour when they would ask for access to toilets, et cetera.”
Activists arrive at the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Athens, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 after being deported from Israel for taking part in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)Ms Butterly said there was “very vindictive treatment” of a lot of the younger crew members.
“Amongst them Greta Thunberg, whose suitcase I just saw with her and in which it’s graffitied with ‘Greta Whore’,” she said.
“This is a 22-year-old climate justice activist who has really walked the talk in the sense of calling for an end to the impunity that has been a demarcater of this genocide.”
A UN special committee and multiple human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians during its ongoing blockade, invasion, and bombing of the Gaza Strip.
Ms Butterly said the treatment was “quite intentional” in order to deter similar action in the future.
In terms of arranging journeys home, Ms Butterly said Irish consular staff in Greece have been “amazingly supportive”.
Main image: Swedish activist Greta Thunberg arrives at the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Athens, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
