Israel abducted two activists after Gaza aid flotilla seizure: rights group

Humanitarian flotilla prepares to depart for Gaza from Barcelona. (Photo/Reuters)

An Israeli legal rights group Adalah has demanded immediate disclosure of the whereabouts of two foreign activists unlawfully taken into custody following Israel's seizure of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.

In a letter sent Friday to the Israeli navy’s legal advisor, Adalah said the activists, Thiago Avila from Brazil and Saif Abu Keshek from Spain, were being held unlawfully and must be granted immediate access to legal counsel before any questioning begins.

"Israel's actions amount to the abduction of foreign civilians in international waters without legal authority," Adalah said in a statement.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry later said the two activists would be questioned by law enforcement authorities after being transferred to Israel, alleging they were affiliated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), an organisation sanctioned by the US Treasury.

Washington imposed sanctions on the group in January, accusing it of organising civilian flotillas intended to challenge Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza.

Both activists are expected to receive consular visits from representatives of their respective countries, the ministry added.

Avila had previously helped organise a Gaza-bound flotilla last year that was also intercepted by Israeli forces.

211 activists had been “kidnapped”

The Global Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla set sail in April from the Italian island of Sicily, with 58 vessels aiming to break Israel’s years-long blockade of Gaza. Earlier vessels had departed Barcelona on April 12.

Israeli forces halted the boats overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, detaining activists and seizing vessels in international waters.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said 175 activists were detained after more than 20 vessels were seized in international waters, while flotilla organisers said 211 activists had been “kidnapped”.

Organisers also said that the equipment on board had been smashed during the interception, leaving them facing a 'calculated death trap at sea'.

Earlier on Thursday, the flotilla reported being attacked near the Greek island of Crete, roughly 600 nautical miles from Gaza.

Longstanding blockade

Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza since 2007, leaving the territory’s 2.4 million people on the verge of starvation. Israel controls all entry points to Gaza.

Since October 2023, Israel’s brutal war on Gaza has killed more than 72,000 people and injured over 172,000, while causing widespread destruction across the enclave.

In the summer and autumn of 2025, a first voyage by the Global Sumud Flotilla across the Mediterranean towards Gaza drew worldwide attention. The boats in that flotilla were intercepted by Israel off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza in early October.

Crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were detained and later expelled by Israel.

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Source: TRT