UN demands Israel 'immediately' release activists

GENEVA — The United Nations on Wednesday urged Israel to immediately release two activists taken from a Gaza-bound flotilla, and demanded an investigation into "disturbing accounts" that they had been severely mistreated.

Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila, who are held in a prison in Ashkelon, were among dozens of activists on a Gazabound flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off the coast of Greece a week ago.

Israel must "immediately and unconditionally" release Keshek and Avila, "who were detained in international waters and brought to Israel, where they continue to be held without charge", UN Human Rights Office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan said.

"It is not a crime to show solidarity and attempt to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza, who are in dire need of it," he added.

The flotilla's vessels set sail from France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking Israel's blockade of Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

Keshek and Avila's detention had initially been extended until Tuesday, but the Ashkelon Magistrate's Court extended it further until May 10.

Representatives for Avila and Keshek have accused Israeli authorities of abusing the two men, who have been on hunger strike for the past week.

Spokesman Kheetan decried the "disturbing accounts of severe mistreatment", calling for an investigation and insisting "those responsible must be brought to justice".

"We call for an end to Israel's use of arbitrary detention and of broadly and vaguely defined terrorism legislation, inconsistent with international human rights law," he said.

"Israel must also end its blockade on Gaza, and allow and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance to the besieged Palestinian strip, in sufficient amounts," he added.

'No evidence'

On Tuesday, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said there was "no evidence" to justify the "illegal" arrest of Keshek and Avila.

"This is a completely illegal detention; no Israeli agent has jurisdiction in international waters," he told public broadcaster RTVE.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva demanded on Tuesday that Israel release the two activists.

"Our government, together with that of Spain ... demands that they be fully guaranteed their safety and immediately released," he said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian government on Tuesday condemned Israel's approval of about $300 million for settlement roads in the occupied West Bank, calling it a "flagrant violation" of international law.

It said more than 1,600 settler and Israeli force attacks were recorded last month, including assaults, crop damage and home demolitions.

Agencies - Xinhua