A UN special rapporteur has demanded that Israel release the activists who are still being held captive after their capture aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla. The activists headed towards Gaza to challenge Israel’s blockade of aid into the region and deliver aid.
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UN official makes call for solidarity in demanding release of captured activists
The UN special rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, in a post on X, called for the public to demand the release of two activists captured by the Israeli navy. The Israeli forces captured the activists on international waters for being aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was headed to Gaza with aid.
Thiago Á. & Saif A. have been kidnapped, mistreated, arbitrarily detained, to punish them and crush the growing solidarity movement against Israel’s genocide in Palestine. Do not let it happen!
Demand their freedom and freedom for all Palestinian hostages!#FreeThiago #FreeSaif https://t.co/pDN9zysTxk— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) May 4, 2026
About 175 activists were captured when the Israeli navy intercepted the flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea near Crete. While the Israeli forces have released other captured activists, two men remain under detention.
Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila are the two activists still detained by Israeli forces. The Israeli forces accused them of “assisting the enemy during wartime” and “providing services to a terrorist organisation.”
However, Francesca Albanese, in her post, noted that the activists are being mistreated to punish them.
“Thiago A. & Saif A. have been kidnapped, mistreated, and arbitrarily detained to punish them and crush the growing solidarity movement against Israel’s genocide in Palestine. Do not let it happen!” she posted.
Similarly, two Dutch activists, after their arrival in the Netherlands following their release by Israeli forces noted that they were maltreated. They noted that some of them were really beaten and injured.
The UN special rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, was part of the Global Sumud Parliamentary Congress in Brussels. She helped provide factual groundwork and an independent assessment of the situation in Gaza.
Reports of the harsh treatment of detained activists
There have been reports of the detained activists being subjected to torture by the Israeli military. Human rights organisation Adalah said that testimonies given by both activists reveal physical violence.
Soldiers reportedly kept Saif Abu Keshek with his hands tied and eyes blindfolded and forced him to lie face down. This lasted from the time he was arrested until the next morning.
Similarly, the soldiers reportedly subjected Thiago Avila to extreme brutality. They dragged him face down across the floor and beat him so severely that he passed out twice.
The flotilla organisers are demanding that governments and other institutions demand the release of these activists. They have also said that the actions of the Israeli forces constitute a violation of international law.