Israel Reportedly to Release Two Global Sumud Flotilla Leaders

The Global Sumud Flotilla legal team, Adalah, has reported that Zionist Israel will release two humanitarian activists, Thiago Avila and Saif Abukeshek. Thiago and Saif are two activists leading the civilian voyage of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 to break through the Gaza blockade in Palestine and deliver humanitarian aid.

On Saturday (9/5/2026), Adalah reported the release of Thiago and Saif, as conveyed by the Shabak intelligence agency to the advocacy team. “The activists and leaders of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), Thiago Avila and Saif Abukeshek, will be released from Israeli detention today, Saturday, 9 May 2026,” stated Adalah in a statement received by Republika in Marmaris, Turkey, on Saturday (9/5/2026).

Adalah stated that Thiago and Saif will be handed over to immigration authorities in the occupied territories, to be subsequently deported. It is not yet known to which country Thiago and Saif will be forcibly returned. However, there are reports suggesting that Thiago and Saif will be deported via Egypt. “They (Thiago and Saif) will be handed over to Israeli immigration authorities today and held while awaiting their deportation,” said Adalah.

Adalah stated that it will continue to monitor developments regarding the planned release of Thiago and Saif. This is to ensure the realisation of the release of the two humanitarian activists from Zionist captivity. “We will ensure that the release from detention proceeds smoothly, followed by their deportation from Israel,” Adalah added.

Saif is one of the leaders of the Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 voyage. Together with Thiago Avila, they lead the humanitarian fleet in the mission to break through the Gaza blockade to deliver humanitarian aid to residents in Palestine, who remain under Zionist occupation to this day.