Israel released and deported Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) activists Thiago Ávila and Saif Abukeshek Sunday from Shikma Prison, after 11 days in detention amid torture allegations. Both Ávila and Abukeshek had launched hunger strikes in protest of their illegal arrest in international waters.
The Israeli foreign ministry announced the deportation of who they describe as members of “the provocation flotilla,” supposedly following an investigation. Abukeshek was deported to Athens, Greece, while Thiago was deported to Cairo, Egypt, according to the GSF announcement posted to Telegram.
Their release comes amid heightened scrutiny of Israel’s detention practices. Legal representatives from the Adalah Group, along with foreign embassy officials, corroborated reports of severe mistreatment during their stay in Ashkelon. These reports follow previous allegations of torture and a hunger strike launched by the detainees to protest their conditions at Shikma Prison.
The detention of Thiago, a Brazilian national, and Saif, a Spanish–Swedish national of Palestinian origin, sparked international condemnation, with Spain, Brazil, and the United Nations issuing calls for their immediate release. Despite the Israeli government’s allegations of “terrorist affiliation,” no formal evidence was presented to the courts or the men’s legal counsel during the proceedings.
“We are not done yet,” Saif stated today in a video posted upon his arrival in Athens. He urged the international community to shift its focus back to the “thousands of Palestinians” remaining in Israeli custody and to “continue to mobilize until Palestine is free.”
The two men were part of the Flotilla that launched from Spain on April 12 to try to break Israel's blockade of Gaza by delivering aid to the enclave. They were among dozens of activists arrested when the flotilla was intercepted around 1,000 kilometers from Gaza, but the only two detained on unfounded charges of “illegal activity” and affiliation with a terrorist organisation.
The GSF fleet has sailed to Turkey from Syracuse, Italy and Crete, where its leadership is currently gathered in Marmaris for an International Assembly. A press conference is scheduled for May 12, where the organization is expected to present the next phase of its mission and outline strategies to safeguard its future solidarity endeavors.
