Israel says two Gaza flotilla activists were brought in for questioning

Jerusalem: Israel’s foreign ministry said on Saturday that two activists who took part in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla had been taken to Israel for questioning after Israeli forces intercepted the vessels earlier this week.

In a post on X, the ministry identified the two as Saif Abu Keshek of Spain and Thiago Avila of Brazil. They were in Israel and would “be transferred for questioning by law enforcement authorities”.

The ministry also said both men were linked to the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), an organisation sanctioned by the US Treasury. According to Israel’s foreign ministry, Abu Keshek was a senior member of the group, while Avila, who it also linked to the organisation, was “suspected of illegal activity”.

“Both will receive a consular visit from the representatives of their respective countries in Israel,”.

Israel’s foreign ministry said Washington had accused the PCPA of “clandestinely acting on behalf of Hamas”. In January, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on the organisation, saying it had been involved in arranging civilian flotillas headed for Gaza that sought to breach Israel’s naval blockade on the Palestinian territory.

Avila was also among the organisers of an earlier flotilla that attempted to deliver aid to Gaza last year despite the blockade. That mission, too, was stopped by Israeli forces.

Flotilla interception

The latest flotilla consisted of more than 50 vessels that departed from ports in France, Spain and Italy. Its stated aim was to challenge the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian assistance to the territory.

Israel controls all access points into Gaza. During the conflict, the territory has faced shortages of essential supplies, and Israel has at times completely halted aid entry. Gaza has been under Israeli blockade since 2007.

Earlier, Israel’s foreign ministry said about 175 activists had been removed from more than 20 boats on Thursday during the military operation. Flotilla organisers, however, said 211 activists had been kidnapped, presenting a different account of the number involved.

Organisers also said the Israeli action took place more than 1,000 kilometres from the Gaza Strip. They said Israeli forces stopped the boats overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which organised the mission, said equipment on board had been destroyed and described the interception as leaving participants in a “calculated death trap at sea”.

According to an AFP journalist, dozens of intercepted activists disembarked on the Greek island of Crete on Friday.

Pakistan reaction and earlier voyage

Former senator Mushtaq Ahmad was among those detained during the operation. On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on X that Ahmad had been released.

“I reiterate my strongest possible condemnation of the illegal detention of humanitarian workers aboard the flotilla as well as obstruction of humanitarian aid destined for the besieged people of Gaza,” he said.

The United States has supported the Israeli position and described the flotilla as a “stunt”.

In the summer and autumn of 2025, an earlier Global Sumud Flotilla voyage across the Mediterranean towards Gaza had drawn international attention. Those boats were intercepted by Israel off the coasts of Egypt and the Gaza Strip in early October. Crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested and later expelled by Israel.