The Global Sumud Flotilla<\/a> confirmed in a statement that two activists, Spanish-Swedish citizen Saif Abukeshek, who is of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian citizen Thiago \u00c1vila, were transferred to Shikma Prison in Askalan. Citing the Brazilian embassy, the flotilla said \u00c1vila has been subjected to \u201ctorture, beatings, and mistreatment\u201d during his detention.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t \n\t\t\tDownload the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts\u2122.\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tPoint phone camera here\t\t<\/p>\n During a monitored visit, embassy officials reported seeing visible marks on \u00c1vila\u2019s face. Although he was examined by a doctor, \u201cadequate medical care was not provided,\u201d the flotilla said.<\/p>\n Abukeshek, the flotilla said, was tortured and severely abused aboard a military vessel before being transferred to the prison.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0Both are now on a hunger strike. \u00c1vila, the flotilla said, has not been informed of charges against him.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201c\u00c1vila and Abukeshek\u2019s continued detention raises serious concerns of arbitrary detention, denial of due process, and violations of the absolute prohibition on torture under international law,\u201d the flotilla\u2019s statement said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Israel also arrested and deported people on board another flotilla going to Gaza in October 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n Multiple other activists on the flotilla said they were injured by Israeli forces as well. One of them, Zack Schofield of Australia, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation<\/a> some suffered concussions after being shot by rubber bullets. Shofield said a friend of his was beaten.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u200b\u200bA spokesperson from Israel\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied this account to ABC.<\/p>\n Israel also deported and arrested members of a flotilla that tried to go to Gaza in October 2025. Amnesty International<\/a> said in a statement that it documented ill-treatment and abuse of activists detained in that case as well, including sleep deprivation, denial of drinking water and medical care.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIsrael\u2019s brazen and unlawful interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels and the arbitrary detention of dozens of activists underscores the dangerous consequences of decades of impunity for Israel\u2019s ongoing atrocity crimes against Palestinians, including genocide in the Gaza Strip and apartheid, and its unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory,\u201d the organization said in a statement.<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s Foreign Ministry<\/a> claimed that Abukeshek and \u00c1vila are tied to an organization connected to Hamas.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBoth will receive a consular visit from the representatives of their respective countries in Israel,\u201d the foreign ministry said on X.<\/p>\n Khaled Khiari, the UN\u2019s assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, said in remarks to the Security Council earlier this week that the population in Gaza is still facing deadly Israeli strikes and dire humanitarian conditions despite a ceasefire agreement from last October.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhile some improvements in access and aid delivery have been observed in recent weeks, unpredictable access, limited operational crossings, and restrictions on critical humanitarian items termed \u2018dual-use\u2019 items by Israel continue to constrain the UN response,\u201d Khiari said.<\/a> \u201cFood security remains a challenge, while essential services \u2014 particularly water, sanitation, and health \u2014 are again on the brink of collapse.\u201d<\/p>\n In August, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification confirmed a famine in Gaza.<\/a> Following the ceasefire agreement, 100,000 still experienced these conditions, the IPFSP said in December.\u00a0<\/p>\n The governments of Spain and Brazil said in a joint statement<\/a> that they \u201ccondemn in the strongest possible terms the abduction of two of their citizens in international waters by the Government of Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis flagrantly illegal action by the Israeli authorities outside their jurisdiction constitutes a violation of international law, which may be invoked before international courts, and may constitute a criminal offence under our respective national laws,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n Spanish President Pedro S\u00e1nchez <\/a>said at a campaign event<\/a> that he has three messages for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: that Spain will protect its citizens; that it will always defend international law and that \u201cwe demand the freedom of the Spanish citizen kidnapped on the flotilla.\u201d<\/p>\n Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni\u2019s office on Thursday<\/a> called for the immediate \u200brelease of all Italians who were \u201cunlawfully detained.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"QR](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/app-download-block-qr-code.png\")
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