Israel threatens Gaza flotilla activists with death after abduction
Israeli forces have threatened two Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla activists, seized in international waters last week, with death or long prison terms, according to a rights group representing them.
The two pro-Palestinian activists, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, were among dozens detained during an Israeli raid on the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Greece on April 30.
On Tuesday, an Israeli court extended their detention until Sunday, May 10.
The legal rights centre Adalah, which represents the pair, said they have been subjected to psychological abuse and held in solitary confinement. According to the group, Israeli officers threatened to kill them or imprison them “for 100 years.”
Both men remain in “total isolation,” subjected to 24/7 high-intensity lighting in their cells and kept blindfolded whenever they are moved, including during medical examinations. They are also being held in very low temperatures, the group added.
Adalah said the court’s decision to prolong the detention “amounts to judicial validation of the regime’s lawlessness.” No charges have been filed, but the two face accusations including affiliation with a “terrorist organisation” and contact with “foreign agents,” which the legal centre described as "baseless."
According to the group, the activists are continuing their hunger strike, consuming only water since their abduction.
Meanwhile, the flotilla’s organisers demanded their release in a post on X, urging the international community to intervene.
They said the activists were “forcefully brought against their will to occupied Palestine, where they have been subjected to interrogations, death threats, sleep deprivation and medical neglect.”
The governments of Spain and Brazil issued a joint statement on Friday describing the detention of Avila and Abu Keshek as illegal.
During the raid on the Global Sumud Flotilla, Israeli forces attacked 22 of the 58 aid boats heading toward the besieged Gaza Strip and detained 175 activists.
Testimonies indicate that the activists were tortured while in Israeli custody following their abduction.
Save the Children condemns Israeli death penalty law for Palestinians
Skin infections surge in Gaza due to medicine shortages amid Israeli blockade: UNRWA
Norwegian politicians face criminal complaint over complicity in Gaza genocide
Amid Iran's resilience, Trump says 'pausing' plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Iran warns UAE: Refrain from aligning with aggressors
May 5: Iran activates new Strait of Hormuz transit system as US blockade ends in failure
Iran will never submit to coercion; threats, bullying to lead nowhere: President
Save the Children condemns Israeli death penalty law for Palestinians
Iran warns UAE of 'crushing and regretful' response if attacks are launched from its soil
Iran represents ethical, responsible power in world of chaos and piracy: President Pezeshkian
Israel targets southern Lebanon with internationally banned phosphorus shells
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
