Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated on October 6th, 2025, that he is proud the Sumud Flotilla activists are being treated as terrorists, defending the policy applied to them at Ktzi'ot Prison. Ben Gvir made these remarks following the Israeli Foreign Ministry's denial of mistreatment allegations concerning Greta Thunberg and other flotilla detainees. The Foreign Ministry stated on October 6th that claims of mistreatment are "brazen lies" and that all detainees' legal rights are upheld, further noting that Thunberg and others refused to expedite their deportation and did not complain of mistreatment. Ben Gvir, in statements released throughout the reporting window, asserted his pride in prison staff and their adherence to policy, stating, "I was on their ships; I saw neither aid nor humanity." He emphasized his view that "Anyone who supports terrorism is a terrorist and deserves the same conditions applied to terrorists." The Israeli Foreign Ministry's denial, also issued on October 6th, explicitly refuted allegations of mistreatment, characterizing the claims as "ludicrous and baseless." The Sumud Flotilla activists, including Greta Thunberg, were reportedly detained and facing deportation. Previous reports from October 5th indicated that one Spanish citizen from the flotilla bit a medical staff member at Ketziot Prison in anticipation of deportation the following morning. Negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, with U.S. involvement, were expected to commence around this time in Cairo, following intense Israeli raids reported to have caused civilian casualties.
