Israel deports two foreign activists seized from Gaza aid mission

Israel on Sunday deported two foreign activists who were detained after their Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters last month.

The two activists- Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Thiago Avila from Brazil were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian aid mission attempting to reach Gaza and challenge Israel’s blockade on the territory.

According to an AFP report, Israeli authorities said that the activists were questioned after being brought to Israel following the interception of the flotilla near the coast of Greece. The Israeli foreign ministry later confirmed that both men had been deported after an investigation.

Israel said that it would “not allow any breach” of the blockade imposed on Gaza.

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According to a Reuters report, Israel accused Abu Keshek of having links to a terrorist organisation, while Avila was accused of illegal activity. Both activists denied the allegations and said that they were only participating in a peaceful humanitarian mission for civilians in Gaza.

Rights group criticises Israel’s actions

The activists were represented by Adalah, which strongly criticised Israel’s handling of the case.

According to the report, the group said that the activists had been “abducted in international waters” and subjected to unlawful detention, isolation and mistreatment. It described the operation as a “punitive attack on a purely civilian mission.”

Adalah also accused Israeli authorities of trying to suppress international solidarity efforts for Palestinians in Gaza through detention and interrogation of activists and human rights defenders.

An Israeli court on Wednesday rejected an appeal challenging the detention of the two men.

Aid flotilla aimed to reach Gaza

The Global Sumud Flotilla had departed from France, Spain and Italy with the stated aim of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.

Most of the other activists aboard the flotilla were reportedly taken to the Greek island of Crete and later released.

This was the second mission launched by the Global Sumud Flotilla. Its first voyage last year was also intercepted by Israeli forces near the coasts of Egypt and Gaza.

Gaza blockade remains a major issue

Israel has controlled all entry points into Gaza since imposing a blockade on the territory. The blockade has remained in place throughout the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which began after the group’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

The conflict has devastated large parts of Gaza and displaced much of the population. Humanitarian organisations and the United Nations have repeatedly warned about severe shortages of food, medicine and other critical supplies in the territory, saying aid deliveries remain insufficient for the growing humanitarian needs.