Israel to Release Two Detained Gaza Flotilla Activists

Two Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla activists, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, are expected to be released to their home countries in the coming days, according to a statement from Adalah, the rights group representing them.

The pair were among dozens of activists who set sail for Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off the coast of Greece. The vessel was part of a humanitarian effort seeking to reach Gaza with aid amid the ongoing war and Israel’s blockade.

Abu Keshek, a Spanish-Palestinian, and Avila, a Brazilian, were taken into custody by Israeli authorities after their ship was intercepted. They were held in detention for further questioning before being handed over to immigration authorities.

According to Hadeel Abu Salih, the lawyer representing the pair, they will be released pending deportation. The court had extended their imprisonment until Sunday, despite no charges being filed against them. However, they faced accusations of being affiliated with “terrorist organisations and foreign agents”.

Adalah stated that the pair were subjected to isolation under punitive conditions during their detention. Both activists were on a hunger strike, with Abu Keshek escalating his protest by refusing water since Tuesday.

The Israeli authorities have denied allegations of abuse, but Adalah claims that Israel’s actions in this case constitute grave violations of international law. The rights group is closely monitoring the situation to ensure the release goes ahead as planned.

Source: Al Jazeera