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Israel deports two activists detained over Gaza-bound flotilla | Collector
Israel deports two activists detained over Gaza-bound flotilla
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Israel deports two activists detained over Gaza-bound flotilla

Israel deported two activists, Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, and Brazilian ​Thiago Avila, on Sunday after arresting ‌them aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters, the foreign ministry said. The activists were part of a ​second Global Sumud Flotilla launched from Spain ​on April 12 to try to break ⁠Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering aid ​to the enclave. They were detained by Israeli authorities ​on April 29 and brought to Israel. Israel’s foreign ministry said Abu Keshek was suspected of affiliation with a ​terrorist organisation and Avila was suspected of ​illegal activity; both denied the allegations, saying they were ‌on ⁠a humanitarian mission for Gaza’s civilian population and that their arrest in international waters was unlawful. Gaza is largely run by the Palestinian ​group Hamas, ​which has ⁠been designated as a terrorist group by Israel and much of ​the West. The group’s October 7, 2023, attack ​on ⁠Israel started the Gaza war that has left much of the enclave’s population homeless and ⁠dependent ​on aid, which humanitarian agencies ​say is arriving too slowly.

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