New development regarding Sumud Flotilla activists

Thiago Avila and Saif Abu Kishk, two members of the Global Sumud Flotilla that set sail to provide humanitarian support to Gaza, were detained by Israeli security forces last week. It was stated today that officials from the Israeli internal security agency Shin Bet announced that both individuals would be handed over to the immigration office following the completion of their processing and would be deported from the country in the coming days.

According to information provided by the human rights organization Adalah, Avila and Abu Kishk were captured as a result of an operation in international waters and have been held in Israel until now. Allegations have surfaced that the pair were subjected to harsh treatment during their detention after being forcibly removed from an Italian-flagged vessel. It was also emphasized that the Italian government reacted to the incident and condemned Israel's military operation.

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE FLOTILLA INTERVENTION

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail as part of the Spring 2026 Mission to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver vital aid to the region. However, the flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli military off the coast of Crete on the night of April 29. Following the operation conducted in international waters, the boats carrying the activists were forcibly stopped, and 177 people were detained. It was alleged that Israeli soldiers were aggressive and that those detained were mistreated while the activists were just a few miles from Greek territorial waters.

It was claimed that Saif Abu Kishk and Thiago Avila, who were among those held in detention, faced both physical torture and death threats. While Israeli authorities announced that these individuals would be deported following detention procedures, the intervention against a humanitarian aid mission has drawn intense criticism from the public.

News Source: 12punto