Israel to release two detained Gaza flotilla activists
Al Jazeera • • world
Key Points:
- Israel plans to release two Gaza-bound humanitarian activists, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, who were abducted and detained after their flotilla was intercepted in international waters near Greece.
- The activists will be handed over to immigration authorities and held pending deportation, with their lawyer expecting their return to home countries soon.
- Abu Keshek and Avila were isolated and held under harsh conditions during detention, leading them to undertake hunger strikes in protest against their treatment.
- Their legal representatives argue that Israel's actions, including interception, detention, and accusations without charges, violate international law and are intended to punish challenges to the Gaza blockade.
- Israeli authorities deny abuse allegations, but the activists remain accused of affiliations with terrorist groups despite no formal charges being filed.
