Israeli Court Upholds Detention of Two Gaza Aid Flotilla Activists Amid International Outcry
An Israeli court has rejected an appeal seeking the release of two foreign pro-Palestine activists detained following an interception of a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla in international waters, according to legal representatives and rights groups.
The activists Spanish national of Palestinian origin Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian citizen Thiago Ávila—were among dozens taken into custody after Israeli naval forces intercepted vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla’s Spring 2026 mission on April 30 in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Greece. The flotilla was aiming to challenge the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.
While most detained activists were later transferred to Greece’s Crete island and released, Abu Keshek and Ávila were taken to Israel for interrogation and remain in custody. Their legal team says both are currently on hunger strike.
On Wednesday, the Beersheba District Court upheld an earlier ruling extending their detention until Sunday morning. The rights group representing them, Adalah, described the decision as “unlawful and unreasonable”, arguing that the activists are being held in punitive conditions despite the civilian nature of their mission. Adalah
During the hearing, an AFP journalist reported that both men appeared in court with their feet shackled. Abu Keshek was described as visibly exhausted, while Ávila appeared calm.
Adalah lawyer Hadeel Abu Salih criticised the arrest, saying the activists were detained in international waters without legal justification and that the case sets a concerning precedent for humanitarian missions.
“It is an illegal arrest that took place in international waters,” she said, adding that continued detention could encourage further similar actions.
The legal group also alleged harsh detention conditions, including prolonged interrogations, isolation, and restricted movement. According to their account, Abu Keshek has stopped drinking water while continuing his hunger strike.
The situation has drawn concern from several international actors, including Spain, Brazil, and the United Nations. A spokesperson for the UN human rights office said that providing humanitarian aid is not a crime and called for the activists’ swift release. United Nations Human Rights Office
The flotilla, consisting of more than 50 vessels carrying activists from multiple countries, departed from Italy earlier this week en route to Gaza, where ongoing conflict has resulted in widespread casualties and humanitarian shortages.
This incident follows a similar operation in October, when Israeli forces intercepted around 40 boats and detained more than 450 participants, including prominent international figures. Many of those detainees were later deported after reporting alleged mistreatment while in custody.
The case continues to draw international attention as legal teams and rights groups push for the immediate release of the remaining detained activists.