SWEDISH activist Greta Thunberg has been mistreated by Israeli forces while imprisoned, activists have said.
Thunberg, 22, was one of nearly 500 people to be detained by Israel after taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israeli forces began intercepting and seizing the 40-strong convoy overnight on Wednesday while it was sailing in international waters just hours off the coast of Gaza, arresting the activists and taking them initially to Ashdod port, where they accused them of trying to enter Israel illegally.
While many activists have already been deported to Turkey, Italy and Spain, many remain imprisoned in the notorious Ketziot prison in the Negev desert, where human rights abuses are well-documented.
Thunberg is one of those still detained, along with other high profile names including French MEP Rima Hassan and Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela.
There are also three Scottish activists still in detention: Yvonne Ridley, Jim Hickey and Sid Khan.
Some 137 activists were deported in Istanbul on Saturday, including Glaswegian Margaret Pacetta, with several alleging Israeli forces had mistreated Thunberg.
Turkish journalist Ersin Celik, who is also a journalist, told local media outlets he witnessed Israeli forces "torture Greta Thunberg", describing how she was "dragged on the ground" and "forced to kiss the Israeli flag".
Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi and American participant Windfield Beaver gave similar accounts at Istanbul Airport, alleging Thunberg was shoved and paraded with an Israeli flag.
Helmi said detainees were denied food, clean water and medication, adding the activists were treated "like animals".
Beaver said Thunberg was "treated terribly" and "used as propaganda", recalling how she was shoved into a room as far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrived.
Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostine, also on the flotilla, similarly cited the mistreatment of Thunberg.
He told media: "Greta Thunberg, a brave woman, is only 22 years old. She was humiliated and wrapped in an Israeli flag and exhibited like a trophy."
Adalah, an Israeli rights group providing legal aid to the activists, said detainees reported being forced to kneel with zip-tied hands for hours, denied medication, and blocked from speaking with lawyers.
On Saturday, the National told how Scottish activist Yvonne Ridley reported "aggressive" treatment. It is understood Israeli officers took away her medication and gave her alternatives, which she has refused to take.
Israel has denied claims of mistreatment, dismissing them as "complete lies".
Another 170 activists are set to be deported on Monday, although Israel has not disclosed the names or nationalities of those they expect to deport at the time of writing.
It is understood at least two of the three Scottish activists still to be deported by Israel are currently on hunger strike.
