Israel releases two activists from Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla

Israel has released two activists, Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, and Brazilian Thiago Avila, after they were unlawfully abducted from a Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters.

The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed their release on Sunday.

The activists were part of a second Global Sumud Flotilla launched from Spain on April 12 to try to break Israel's blockade of Gaza by delivering aid to the enclave.

They were unlawfully detained by Israeli authorities on April 29 and brought to Israel.

Israel's foreign ministry claimed Abu Keshek was suspected of affiliation with “a terrorist organisation” and Avila was suspected of “illegal activity”; both denied the allegations, saying they were on a humanitarian mission for Gaza's civilian population and that their arrest in international waters was unlawful.

Spain, Brazil and the United Nations had all called for the men's swift release.

On Wednesday, an Israeli court rejected an appeal contesting the pair's detention, with the rights group representing them calling the ruling as "unlawful."

The Global Sumud Flotilla's first voyage last year was also intercepted by Israeli forces off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza.

Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.

Throughout the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza that started in October 2023, there have been shortages of critical supplies in the territory, with Israel at times cutting off aid entirely.

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Source: TRT