UN Human Rights Experts Demand Israel Immediately Release Detained Gaza-Bound Flotilla Activists

UN human rights experts issued a formal demand on May 17, 2026, calling on Israel to immediately release activists detained from a Gaza-bound flotilla. The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli naval forces before the call. Among those detained were activists from multiple countries, including Saif Abu Keshek (Spanish-Palestinian) and Thiago Ávila (Brazilian), who had appeared before an Israeli court in Ashkelon in early May 2026, alleging they were subjected to torture and abuse in Israeli custody. Both had launched hunger strikes after their detention was extended. UN experts stated that the detention of civilians attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza violated international law and called for a full investigation into mistreatment allegations. The flotilla episode reflects the ongoing blockade of Gaza by sea, which the UN and international NGOs say prevents humanitarian supplies from reaching the enclave's 2.1 million residents. Israel maintains the naval blockade is a legitimate security measure to prevent Hamas from receiving arms by sea.