Israel Deports Two Global Sumud Flotilla Activists Seeking Gaza Aid

Israel deported two activists on May 10, 2026, following their detention for more than a week. The men were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an initiative that attempted to deliver aid to Gaza and break the naval blockade of the enclave.

The deported individuals, Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila, served as members of the steering committee for the Global Sumud Flotilla. Abukeshek is a dual Spanish-Swedish citizen of Palestinian origin, while Ávila is a citizen of Brazil.

Israeli authorities captured the activists in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea and transported them to Israel for questioning. On May 3, 2026, both men were escorted by prison service guards to a hearing at the District Court in Ashkelon.

The detention drew diplomatic criticism from the home countries of the activists. The governments of Spain and Brazil accused Israel of kidnapping their citizens. On May 9, 2026, Spain’s foreign minister called for the immediate release of Abukeshek.

A legal aid group reported that both Abukeshek and Ávila had launched a hunger strike during their time in Israeli custody.

The activists were part of a second Global Sumud Flotilla that launched from Spain on April 12, 2026. According to reports, Abukeshek and Ávila were aboard the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise, which joined the Gaza-bound flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea on April 18, 2026.

While the two steering committee members were taken to Israel, dozens of other activists involved in the operation were picked up by the Greek coast guard following the Israeli action. Those individuals were subsequently taken to the island of Crete.