Two activists who participated in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla were brought to Israel for questioning, the foreign ministry said on Saturday, after the vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces this week.
Saif Abu Keshek, from Spain, and Thiago Avila, a Brazilian, were in Israel and would “be transferred for questioning by law enforcement authorities”, the ministry said on X, adding that the two activists were affiliated with an organisation sanctioned by the US Treasury.
The ministry said the activists were affiliated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), a group Washington has accused of “clandestinely acting on behalf of Hamas”.
In January, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on the group, which it said was involved in organising Gaza-bound civilian flotillas that aimed to break Israel’s sea blockade on the Palestinian territory.
Israel’s foreign ministry said Abu Keshek was a leading member of PCPA and Avila, 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,” the ministry said.
Spain condemned the “illegal detention” of its citizen. Abu Keshek “must be released immediately so that he can return to Spain”, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told Rac1 radio.
“We are facing an illegal detention in international waters, outside any jurisdiction of the Israeli authorities,” Albares said.
Avila was among the organisers of a flotilla that had tried to bring aid to Gaza last year despite the naval blockade. That effort was also intercepted by Israeli forces.
The current flotilla comprised more than 50 vessels and had set sail from ports in France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking the blockade of Gaza and bringing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.
Israel controls all entry points to Gaza.
Throughout the conflict, there have been shortages of critical supplies in Gaza, with Israel at times cutting off the entry of aid entirely. The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade since 2007.
Israel’s foreign ministry earlier claimed around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 vessels on Thursday by the country’s military. Flotilla organisers said 211 activists had been kidnapped.
Organisers said the Israeli operation had taken place over 1,000 kilometres from the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces halted the boats overnight Wednesday to Thursday, with organisers, the Global Sumud Flotilla, saying their equipment had been smashed and that the intervention had left them facing a “calculated death trap at sea”.
Dozens of intercepted activists disembarked on Friday on the Greek island of Crete, according to an AFP journalist.
Former senator Mushtaq Ahmad was also among those detained. 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 backed Israeli authorities, calling the flotilla a “stunt”.
In the summer and autumn of 2025, a first voyage by the Global Sumud Flotilla across the Mediterranean towards Gaza drew worldwide attention. The boats in that flotilla 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 then expelled by Israel.