Gaza Flotilla Activists Released from Israeli Detention; Spain and Brazil Nationals to Be Deported

Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, and Thiago Avila, a Brazilian national, were released from Israeli security detention on Saturday May 9–10, 2026, and were expected to be deported from Israel in the coming days, per Al-Monitor and the Cyprus Mail. The two men had been detained since April 29 when Israeli naval forces intercepted their vessel from the Global Sumud Flotilla — a humanitarian mission launched from Spain on April 12 aimed at breaking Israel's blockade of Gaza. The remaining ~175 flotilla activists had already been released in Greece after being disembarked. Abu Keshek and Avila were the only two activists brought to Israel and held under investigation for alleged offences including 'aiding the enemy' and 'contact with a terrorist organization.' Both denied the allegations. The governments of Spain and Brazil had declared their detention unlawful; OHCHR had called for their immediate release; and Adalah (Israeli human rights legal group) was monitoring the process. Israel's Ashkelon Magistrate's Court had extended their detention to May 10 before authorizing release and deportation. Adalah said: 'We are closely monitoring developments to make sure that the release from detention goes ahead, followed by their deportation from Israel in the coming days.'