Israel to Release Two Gaza Flotilla Activists for Deportation
Israeli authorities will release Brazilian activist Thiago Avila and Palestinian-Spanish activist Saif Abu Keshek from jail on Saturday and transfer them to immigration officials for deportation. The pair were detained after the Israeli Navy intercepted their boats near Crete on April 29 as they attempted to reach Gaza.
jpost.comIsraeli authorities will release Brazilian activist Thiago Avila and Palestinian-Spanish activist Saif Abu Keshek from jail on Saturday and hand them over to immigration authorities for deportation, a rights group said. The Israeli Navy intercepted their boats on April 29 near the Greek island of Crete as the vessels headed toward Gaza in an effort to break the blockade on humanitarian aid.
Items including condoms and drugs were found on board the boats. Avila was accused of sexual misconduct on the boat but was cleared by an internal investigation. Both activists were taken to Israel and placed in custody following the interception. The pair will be kept in custody pending their deportation, the rights group said.
Israeli authorities have not commented on the planned release.
Avila’s lawyer told an Israeli court this week that the Brazilian activist had been on a fishing trip in Greece and never intended to break the Gaza blockade. Avila had been documenting his journey on Instagram.
Congressional Response Rep.
Rashida Tlaib sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday demanding the activists’ release. The letter was signed by other members of Congress including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- 2026-05-09
Rights group announces release of two activists from Israeli jail for deportation later today.
1 sourcenypost.com - 2026-05-06
Rep. Rashida Tlaib and others sent letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding activists' release.
1 sourcenypost.com - 2026-05-05
Avila’s lawyer argued in Israeli court that the activist was on a fishing trip in Greece.
1 sourcenypost.com - 2026-04-29
Israeli Navy intercepted the flotilla boats near Crete en route to Gaza.
1 sourcenypost.com
Potential Impact
- 01
The two activists will be deported from Israel after transfer to immigration authorities.
- 02
The incident adds to documentation of attempts to challenge the Gaza humanitarian aid blockade.
- 03
Israeli authorities have not issued a public statement on the release decision.
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
The GuardianWHO Chief Visits DRC as Ebola Death Rate Reaches 30-50%
World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to support containment of a new Ebola outbreak. The agency revised the death rate to 30-50% based on confirmed cases and recorded 10 confirmed and 223 suspected d…
westernjournal.comGreek National Charged in UK With Aiding Iran-Linked Intelligence Service
A 46-year-old Greek man living in Germany was charged under the UK National Security Act with assisting an intelligence service believed to be Iran by targeting a journalist at Iran International.
straitstimes.comJournalists in Gaza to Receive 2026 Golden Pen of Freedom Award
Three international news agencies will accept the award on behalf of their local staff still reporting from the territory. The World Association of News Publishers cited the journalists' continued coverage under extreme conditions.