Israel deports two activists detained over Gaza-bound flotilla

Activist Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, who was detained aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, appears at a court in Beersheba, southern Israel May 6, 2026. (Reuters)
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  • Saif Abu Keshek was suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization
  • Thiago Avila was suspected of illegal activity

‌Israel deported two activists, Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, and Brazilian ​Thiago Avila, on Sunday after arresting them aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters, the foreign ministry said.

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

Israel’s foreign ministry said Abu Keshek was suspected ⁠of affiliation with a terrorist ‌organization 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.