Geneva, May 6 (SANA) The United Nations Human Rights Office called on Israel Tuesday to immediately and unconditionally release two activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla aid mission who were detained in international waters while attempting to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
In a statement, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said Israel must release Saif Abukeshek and Thiago de Avila, who were intercepted in international waters and taken to Israel, where they remain detained without charge.
Al-Kheetan said expressing solidarity with Palestinians and attempting to deliver aid to Gaza “is not a crime,” and called for an immediate investigation into reports of mistreatment of the detainees.
He also urged Israel to end arbitrary detention, lift the blockade on Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to enter the territory in sufficient quantities.
The two activists were among dozens aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near the Greek coast last week while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.
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