The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced the deportation of Brazilian activist Thiago Avila and Palestinian activist Saif Abu Kishk, both participants in the “Steadfastness Flotilla” heading toward Gaza, nearly two weeks after their arrest following the Israeli navy’s interception of the vessel in international waters.


Israeli naval forces had seized the flotilla while it was attempting to reach the Gaza Strip, later towing the vessel to an Israeli port and detaining the activists and international solidarity campaigners on board.


The “Steadfastness Flotilla” aimed to challenge the blockade imposed on Gaza and draw international attention to the worsening humanitarian conditions in the enclave amid ongoing restrictions on aid and movement.


The interception of the vessel in international waters sparked criticism from human rights groups and solidarity activists, who described the operation as a violation of international law and freedom of navigation.