Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla, Detains Two Activists

Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off the coast of Greece on Thursday, detaining two activists for questioning in Israel over suspected links to a U.S.-sanctioned organization affiliated with Hamas. The flotilla, comprising more than 50 vessels that departed from ports in France, Spain, and Italy, sought to deliver supplies to Gaza and challenge the Israeli blockade in place since 2007.

According to organizers, the interception took place over 1,000 kilometers from Gaza, with 211 people aboard the vessels.

Israel's Foreign Ministry stated that the two detainees, Saif Abukeshek, a dual Spanish-Swedish citizen of Palestinian origin, and Thiago Ávila from Brazil, were affiliated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA). The U.S. Treasury Department designated the PCPA in 2024 as "clandestinely acting on behalf of Hamas," according to its official sanctions announcement.

" Both were granted consular visits, the ministry added.

The detainees appeared before an Israeli court on Friday, according to reports from France 24 and The Guardian. Israel released 175 other activists from the flotilla, with dozens transferred to the Greek coast guard and disembarked on the island of Crete, as observed by an AFP journalist.

No publicly released evidence from Israeli authorities has detailed the specific links between the detainees and Hamas beyond the PCPA affiliation.

The legal aid group Adalah reported that Abukeshek and Ávila launched a hunger strike while continuing to drink water during their detention at Shikma Prison in Ashkelon. Adalah lawyers visited the pair and documented their accounts: Ávila stated he was "dragged face-down across the floor and beaten so severely that he passed out twice" during the seizure, then kept in isolation and blindfolded upon arrival in Israel.

Abukeshek reported being "hand-tied, blindfolded and forced to lie face-down on the floor" from seizure until reaching Israel, with repeated beatings.

Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares demanded Abukeshek's immediate release, stating in an interview with public radio, "This is a case of illegal detention in international waters, outside the jurisdiction of Israeli authorities. " Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the incident at a campaign event, saying, "Now that Netanyahu has taken foreign citizens, including a Spanish national, and brought them to Israel, I have a few things to say to Prime Minister Netanyahu.

First, Spain will always protect its citizens.

The interception has strained Israel-Spain relations, which have deteriorated since the Gaza war began with Hamas's October 2023 attacks. Spain recognized Palestinian statehood in 2024, and both countries have withdrawn their ambassadors. Organizers shared photos on X showing bruises on activists' faces, and one participant claimed Israeli forces beat them multiple times.

The Greek government has faced criticism following the incident, according to Le Monde, though no specific statements from Greek officials were detailed in available reports. This follows a previous flotilla interception by Israel in October 2025 off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza, where crew members including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg were arrested and expelled.