Gaza flotilla activists deported from Israel after week-long detention

The two activists, who have been on hunger strike since their detention, were handed over to the immigration authority, which deported them.

Detained Global Sumud Flotilla activists Thiago Avila and Saif Abu Keshek were released from Ashkelon’s Shikma detention facility on Sunday, according to the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two activists, who have been on hunger strike since their detention, were handed over to the immigration authority, which deported them to an undisclosed location.

Adalah claimed that Avila and Abu Keshek have been unlawfully held by Israel for over a week since they were taken into custody last Thursday.

The organization also claimed that the pair was held under harsh conditions and isolation despite the ‘clearly civilian nature’ of their expedition.

Attorney Hadeel Abu Salih of the Adalah Center argued that since they were detained from a vessel flying the Italian flag, they must be subject to Italian jurisdiction, calling their detention a violation of international law.

Both were detained on suspicion of affiliation with terrorists

Israel’s foreign ministry said that Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, was suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization, while the Brazilian Avila was suspected of illegal activity. Both had denied the allegations.

Abu Keshek and Avila were the only two activists detained for an extended period by Israel after the Israeli Navy halted the flotilla’s mission to Gaza by intercepting more than 20 boats.

Yoav Etiel contributed to this report.