Israel holds two detained Gaza flotilla activists for questioning

by · UPI

May 1 (UPI) -- Israel said Friday that two of the 175 activists its navy detained from the Global Sumud Flotilla bringing aid to Gaza had been brought back to Israel for questioning.

Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs named the two individuals in a post on X as Saif Abu Keshek, who it said was suspected of links to a "terrorist organization," and Thiago Avila, who it said was suspected of "illegal activity."

The ministry said the remainder of the activists detained Thursday after the Israeli Navy intercepted the flotilla in international waters near the island of Crete would be disembarked in Greece, which the Greek government had agreed to.

"We thank it for that," said the foreign ministry.

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The ministry said that the Board of Peace and the U.S. State Department published rules stated that all humanitarian activity in Gaza was the preserve of the board and alleged that Hamas was behind the flotilla.

"This Hamas-led flotilla is another provocation designed to divert attention from Hamas's refusal to disarm - and to serve the PR interests of professional provocateurs. Israel will not allow the breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza," added the MFA.

The 58-vessel strong flotilla was en route from Barcelona, still more than 600 miles from Gaza, when 22 of the vessels were interdicted and seized.

The Global Sumud Flotilla alleged Israeli forces held people at gunpoint, smashed engines and destroyed navigation arrays on its ships before retreating.

"Intentionally leaving hundreds of civilians stranded on powerless, broken vessels directly in the path of a massive approaching storm. Furthermore, communications with multiple vessels have been jammed, severing their ability to coordinate or signal for help," said the group.

The Israeli action drew condemnation from multiple countries including Italy and Turkey.

A joint statement by Brazil, Pakistan, Spain, Malaysia and South Africa called it an "Israeli assault" on a peaceful humanitarian mission and said the detention of activists in international waters were "flagrant violations of international humanitarian law."

However, the U.S. State Department backed Israel's claim the flotilla was organized by a Hamas-affiliated group.

Identifying the group as the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, it said the U.S Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control had imposed sanctions on the PCPA in January.

It also accused the Global Sumud Flotilla of attempting to undermine U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.

"This Pro-Hamas Flotilla is organized by an OFAC-sanctioned entity, the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, which was designated as a specially designated global terrorist in January for operating at Hamas' behest," the State Department said in a statement.

It added that the Global Sumud Flotilla had expressed support for the Iranian regime and its "terror proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah."

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Wreathes are seen amongst the statues at the Korean War Veterans Memorial during Memorial Day weekend in Washington on May 27, 2023. Memorial Day, which honors U.S. military personnel who died while in service, is held on the last Monday of May. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo