Published on: 2026-05-06
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called on Israel to immediately release two members of the “Global Flotilla Sumud,” detained in international waters, and emphasized that solidarity with the Palestinians and efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza “are not crimes.”
In the statement published on Wednesday by UNRWA press secretary Tamin Al-Hitan, it was reported that activists Saif Abukesh and Tyago de Avila were detained in international waters and delivered to Israel, where they are “held under guard without being formally charged.”
“Global Fleet of Sumud” is a civil society initiative aimed at delivering aid to Gaza by sea. It consists of nearly 60 vessels from Spain, France, and Italy, and was intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Greece on April 30.
According to reports from the Shin Bet, on Tuesday an Israeli court in Ashkelon satisfied the authorities’ request to extend the detention of both detainees until the following Sunday.
“Israel must immediately and unconditionally release these two men,” Al-Khitan stated.
The call was made against the backdrop of growing international concern over restrictions on access to humanitarian aid in Gaza, where the population faces an acute shortage of food, medicines, and other essential items after several months of conflict and blockade.
Providing assistance is “not a crime”
“An expression of solidarity and an attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip, which is in urgent need, is not a crime,” stated Al-Hitan.
The UN Human Rights Office also expressed concern regarding allegations of abuse in places of detention.
“Alarming reports of cruel treatment of Mr. Abukeshek and Mr. de Avila must be investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable,” Al-Hitan said.
Arbitrary detentions
The UN Human Rights Office called on Israel to stop a practice that, according to human rights defenders, violates international human rights standards.
“We urge Israel to cease the practice of arbitrary detentions and the application of vaguely defined anti-terrorism legislation, which is incompatible with international human rights law,” the statement says. It also again contains a call for a significant expansion of access to humanitarian aid in Gaza.
“Israel must end the blockade of Gaza, and also allow and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian sector in sufficient quantities,” added Tamin Al-Khitan.
Please note; This information is raw content directly received from an information source. It represents an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.