Admin I Saturday, May 02.2026
LONDON — Fears are mounting today for the safety of two international activists who have allegedly been beaten and tortured after their aid flotilla was intercepted by military forces in international waters.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian supplies, was boarded in a high-stakes midnight raid.
While most participants have been processed, two men—Thiago Ávila of Brazil and Saif Abukeshek of Spain—remain in custody at the notorious Askalan prison in occupied Palestine.
According to statements released by the Brazilian Embassy and legal representatives for the Spanish mission, the treatment of the detainees has been “barbaric.”
Thiago Ávila: The Brazilian government has officially confirmed reports of torture regarding their citizen.
Saif Abukeshek: First-hand accounts from released activists describe Abukeshek being subjected to “sustained physical beatings” and severe medical neglect.
The Hunger Strike: In a desperate bid for justice, the men have reportedly launched a hunger strike, protesting their detention without formal charges.
”Kidnapped in International Waters”
The Flotilla organizers claim the vessel was in international waters when it was “forcibly diverted” to the port of Ashdod. They argue the interception was an act of piracy, as the ship was unarmed and carrying only aid.
”Our friends are being held in a black hole of justice,” said one activist who was deported yesterday. “They weren’t just arrested; they were hunted, beaten, and disappeared into a military prison system.”
What is the Global Sumud Flotilla?
The Global Sumud Flotilla is the latest in a series of maritime challenges to the blockade of the Gaza Strip. “Sumud” is an Arabic term meaning “steadfastness.”
This specific mission brought together activists, doctors, and journalists from over a dozen countries. While the organizers maintain their goal is purely humanitarian, authorities have historically viewed these missions as a “provocation” and a threat to maritime security, often leading to violent confrontations at sea.
The Brazilian and Spanish embassies are reportedly “working around the clock” to secure consular access.
However, with the men being held in Askalan—a facility often criticized by human rights groups for its treatment of detainees—concerns for their physical health are reaching a breaking point.
The Foreign Office has yet to comment on whether any British nationals were caught up in the raid.
