The United Nations Human Rights Office has demanded the immediate release of Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila and Spanish-Palestinian activist Saif Abukeshek, escalating international pressure on Israel over allegations of illegal detention and severe mistreatment. The two men have reportedly been imprisoned since April 29 after Israeli military forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters while it was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
UN officials called for an urgent and independent investigation into claims that both activists suffered physical abuse and degrading treatment while in Israeli custody. According to the legal organization Adalah, which represents the detainees, the pair were denied access to legal counsel during interrogations and were subjected to violence at the Shikma detention center in Ashkelon. The organization also reported that the activists are currently being held in solitary confinement under harsh conditions.
The flotilla operation involved 58 vessels departing from ports in Italy, Spain, and France with the declared objective of delivering humanitarian assistance to Gaza, where humanitarian agencies continue to warn of catastrophic living conditions after nearly two years of conflict and military operations. Supporters of the mission described the interception as an unlawful seizure carried out in international waters, while activists involved in the operation accused Israeli authorities of violating international humanitarian law.
Following their capture, Ávila and Abukeshek reportedly launched a hunger strike to protest what their legal team described as violent treatment during and after the boarding operation. Human rights groups have since intensified criticism of Israel’s detention policies, arguing that anti-terrorism laws are being used to justify arbitrary arrests and suppress humanitarian activism.
Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, directly condemned the use of arbitrary detention measures and warned against the misuse of anti-terror legislation in ways that conflict with international legal standards. His remarks reflected growing concern within the international community over the handling of the case and broader questions surrounding the treatment of pro-Palestinian activists.
An Israeli court in Ashkelon extended the detention of both activists until Sunday under an order issued by Judge Yaniv Ben-Haroush. Israeli prosecutors have accused the pair of collaborating with enemy organizations, maintaining contact with foreign agents, and involvement with terrorist groups. However, the activists and their lawyers strongly reject the accusations, insisting no formal charges have been officially filed. Adalah described the entire legal process as fundamentally unlawful and politically motivated.
The case has sparked demonstrations and solidarity campaigns across several European cities, with Palestinian organizations and international human rights groups denouncing what they call psychological violence and unlawful imprisonment by Israeli authorities. The seizure of the flotilla in international waters has become a focal point of international debate over maritime law, humanitarian access to Gaza, and the rights of civilian activists operating in conflict zones.
The controversy deepened further after the death of Thiago Ávila’s mother, Teresa Regina de Ávila e Silva, was announced in Brasília while her son remained in detention. The 63-year-old suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and family members described her death as a devastating blow to the imprisoned activist and his relatives. Public tributes highlighted the close bond between mother and son, intensifying emotional reactions to the case in Brazil.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sharply condemned the detention, calling it an unjustifiable act and a serious violation of international law. Lula announced that Brazil is coordinating with Spain to demand the immediate release of both activists and guarantees for their safety. As diplomatic pressure grows, international organizations continue urging Israel to comply with humanitarian law and conduct a transparent investigation into the allegations of abuse surrounding the detention of the flotilla members.
