Israeli Court Denies Release of Gaza Flotilla Volunteers Abducted at Sea
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JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli court ruled Monday that two volunteers aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla will not be released following their detention in international waters, rejecting arguments that their capture violated maritime law.
Thiago Avila, a Brazilian activist, and Saif Abu Keshek, a Palestinian national, were seized by Israeli naval forces on May 2, 2026, while aboard the vessel *Mavi Marmara II* approximately 15 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza. The court’s decision, issued late Monday afternoon, upholds their continued detention pending further legal proceedings.
The ruling comes after a brief hearing in the Tel Aviv District Court, where defense attorneys argued that the interception occurred outside Israel’s territorial waters and constituted an unlawful abduction. The lawyers cited international maritime conventions, asserting that Israel lacks jurisdiction to detain civilians in international waters absent a direct threat to national security.
Prosecutors countered that the flotilla was part of a coordinated effort to breach a naval blockade imposed on Gaza following the 2023 escalation. They presented evidence suggesting the vessel carried materials intended to support armed groups, though no weapons were found during the initial search.
Judge Miriam Cohen rejected the motion for immediate release, stating that the case involves complex questions of sovereignty and maritime security that require further examination. She ordered both men to remain in administrative detention while the state prepares its formal charges.
Avila and Abu Keshek were among 42 people detained during the operation, which also resulted in the seizure of the ship and its cargo. The remaining detainees have been released on bail or transferred to Egyptian custody, but the two men remain in a military facility near Ramle.
Human rights organizations have condemned the ruling, calling it a violation of international law. Amnesty International issued a statement urging Israel to release the men immediately, citing the principle of freedom of navigation.
The Israeli government maintains that the blockade is a legitimate security measure necessary to prevent the flow of weapons into Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a brief statement affirming the court’s decision and reiterating Israel’s right to enforce its maritime restrictions.
Legal experts note that the case could set a significant precedent regarding the enforcement of naval blockades in international waters. The International Court of Justice has previously ruled on similar matters, but no binding decision has been issued specifically on this incident.
Avila’s family in São Paulo has called for international intervention, while Abu Keshek’s relatives in Gaza have demanded his transfer to Egyptian custody. Both men have not been granted access to independent legal counsel since their detention.
The next court appearance is scheduled for May 10, when prosecutors are expected to file formal charges. Until then, the legal status of the two volunteers remains uncertain, with their fate tied to the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the Gaza conflict.