Israel must \u2018immediately and unconditionally\u2019 release Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago de Avila, UN rights office spokesperson says.<\/p>\n
Published On 6 May 20266 May 2026<\/p>\n
The United Nations has called for the immediate release of two Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla activists abducted by Israeli authorities last week, calling for an investigation into the \u201cdisturbing accounts of severe mistreatment\u201d.<\/p>\n
Israel must \u201cimmediately and unconditionally\u201d release activists Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago de Avila, where they continue to be held without charge, UN rights office spokesperson Thameen al-Kheetan said in a statement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
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The Spanish and Brazilian nationals were among dozens of activists who had set sail for Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla<\/a>, which was intercepted by Israeli forces<\/a> in international waters off Greece on April 30.<\/p>\n Flotilla organisers say that among about 180 activists, just these two were taken to Israel, where they remain in jail.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not a crime to show solidarity and attempt to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza, who are in dire need of it,\u201d said al-Kheetan. \u201cDisturbing accounts of severe mistreatment of Abu Keshek and Avila must be investigated, and those responsible must be brought to justice.\u201d<\/p>\n An Israeli court on Tuesday extended the activists\u2019 imprisonment<\/a> until May 10. They are on a hunger strike, drinking only water, since they were abducted last Thursday, organisers said.<\/p>\n