Israel departs two activists from Gaza aid flotilla following detention in international waters

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the deportation of two foreign nationals, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, who were detained during an interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters. The pair, identified as a Spanish national of Palestinian origin and a Brazilian citizen respectively, were seized by Israeli forces off the coast of Crete on 30 April while sailing with the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Following their seizure, the activists were transported to Israel where they remained in custody for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation. On Sunday, the Foreign Ministry stated that the men were deported after the probe concluded they were part of a "provocation flotilla." Both individuals have since returned to Greece, with Abu Keshek publicly thanking his legal representatives and supporters upon his arrival in Athens.

The Israeli authorities allege that Abu Keshek has ties to a terrorist organisation and that Avila is suspected of engaging in illegal activity. However, both men have consistently denied these accusations, asserting that their participation in the voyage was a lawful humanitarian mission intended to deliver aid to the civilian population in Gaza. They further contend that their arrest in international waters was unlawful.

An Israeli court rejected an appeal contesting the pair's detention on Wednesday, a ruling that their legal representatives have subsequently labelled unlawful. Despite the rejection of the appeal, the men were not held indefinitely but were processed for deportation following the investigation. The Israeli Foreign Ministry posted the confirmation of their departure on X, emphasising the conclusion of the inquiry into their activities.

The incident involves the Global Sumud Flotilla, which departed from France, Spain, and Italy with the objective of breaching the blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007. This interception marks the second time Israeli forces have stopped this specific flotilla voyage, following a similar event last year off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza. While other activists on the vessel were taken to Crete and released, these two individuals were the subject of the extended detention in Israel.

The deportation occurs against the backdrop of severe shortages of critical supplies in Gaza, a situation that has persisted since the war began in October 2023. Humanitarian agencies have reported that aid delivery remains slow or is occasionally cut off entirely, with Israel maintaining control over all entry points into the territory. The incident has drawn attention from Spain, Brazil, and the United Nations, all of which called for the swift release of the activists prior to their return to Greece.