Israel deports 161 Europeans, including Greta Thunberg to Greece

Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg raises her fist, upon arrival alongside activists who were sailing aboard vessels from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla before being stopped and detained by Israeli forces

Greece's foreign ministry said 161 nationals from 16 European countries landed in Athens on Monday after being expelled by Israel for taking part in a Gaza aid flotilla.

Israel on Monday deported more activists who were on the flotilla bound for the devastated Palestinian territory, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

The 45-vessel flotilla had been aiming to break an Israeli blockade to deliver aid to Gaza, where the United Nations says famine has taken hold after two years of devastating conflict.

According to the Swedish branch of the Global Movement for Gaza, the deported Swedish nationals were on board the flight.

 At Athens International Airport, activists unfurled a huge Palestinian flag in the arrivals hall and chanted "Freedom for Palestine" and "Long live the flotilla!", AFP reporters saw.

The Global Sumud flotilla departed from Barcelona in Spain in early September.

The vessels were boarded by the Israeli navy off Egypt and the Gaza Strip between 1 and 3 October.