Detained Flotilla Activists Released by Israel, Arrive in Netherlands — Abu Keshek and Ávila Still Held

The majority of Gaza-bound aid flotilla activists detained by Israel following the April 29–30 interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla were released and arrived in the Netherlands on May 4, 2026. Al Jazeera reported the activists — who had been held in Israeli detention after being transferred from interception points near Crete — were flown to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. However, Spanish-Palestinian activist Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, who had appeared in an Ashkelon court on May 3, remained in Israeli custody. A third group of six activists from Nordic countries was also reported to still be facing administrative procedures. The released activists held a press conference upon arrival in Amsterdam, where they described conditions during interception: Israeli commandos deployed stun grenades, communications jamming, and physical restraints; at least three activists reported injuries. The flotilla's organizing body — the Global Sumud Coalition — announced it would hold a second flotilla attempt once international legal proceedings were initiated, and called on Turkey, Spain, and Brazil to file emergency relief applications before the International Court of Justice. The ICJ had previously ruled against Israel's blockade practices in the South Africa v. Israel proceedings, and legal experts argued the flotilla interception provided grounds for provisional measures expansion. Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez told parliament that the interception was 'an act of aggression on the high seas that cannot go without consequence.'