The Gaza-bound aid flotilla departs Barcelona on 12 April 2026. [Getty]
Israeli authorities have detained two activists who participated in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla who they accuse of having links to Hamas, the foreign ministry said Saturday, after the vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces.
The flotilla of more than 50 vessels had set sail from ports in France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking an Israeli blockade of Gaza and bringing supplies to the devastated Palestinian territory.
They were abducted by Israeli forces in international waters overnight Wednesday to Thursday.
Israel has released around 175 activists from the flotilla but has kept two – Saif Abu Keshek, from Spain, and Thiago Avila, a Brazilian – for questioning.
The foreign ministry said the two men work with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, a pro-Palestine campaign group it claimed has links to Hamas. The ministry provided no evidence to back up its claims.
The US Treasury in January sanctioned PCPA alleging links to Hamas. The Treasury said the organisation had played a role in organising other Gaza-bound flotillas aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade.
The United States has backed Israeli authorities over the flotillas, calling the latest one a “stunt”.
Israel’s foreign ministry said Abu Keshek was a leading member of the PCPA. It said Avila was also linked to the organisation and was “suspected of illegal activity”.
“Both will receive a consular visit from the representatives of their respective countries in Israel,” the ministry said.
Spain and Brazil have not yet commented on the activists’ detention but in joint statement condemned the interception of the flotilla and abduction of the activists in international waters as “flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law”.
Activists ‘beaten’
Avila was among the organisers of a flotilla that tried to bring aid to Gaza last year. That effort was also intercepted by Israeli forces.
Israel controls all entry points into Gaza and the territory has been under Israeli blockade since 2007.
Throughout the Gaza war that broke out in October 2023 with the Hamas attack on southern Israel, there have been shortages of critical supplies in the Palestinian territory, with Israel at times cutting off aid entirely.
Organisers of the latest flotilla said the Israeli interception took place over 1,000 kilometres from Gaza.
They said their equipment was smashed and the intervention left them facing a “calculated death trap at sea”.
Dozens disembarked on Friday at the Greek island of Crete, according to an AFP journalist.
Organisers published photos on X showing two activists with bruises on their faces, while one participant said in footage that Israeli forces had “beaten” them “several times”.
Hamas condemned the interception, alleging the activists had been abused and assaulted.
The Palestinian movement urged rights groups to pursue legal action against Israeli authorities for “their crimes against the Global Sumud Flotilla, ensuring they do not enjoy impunity”.
“We reiterate our pride in the international activists for their determination to continue their humanitarian efforts to break the siege on Gaza despite the criminal Zionist enemy’s terrorism and threats,” Hamas said.
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s first Mediterranean voyage towards Gaza in the summer and autumn of 2025 drew worldwide attention, before Israeli forces intercepted the boats off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza in early October.
Crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested and expelled by Israeli forces.
(AFP and TNA staff)
