Translated with AI
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on Israel to immediately release two members of the "Sumud Global Flotilla" detained in international waters. The organization emphasized that attempts to deliver humanitarian aid to residents of the Gaza Strip are not a crime.
According to Tamin Al-Khitan, spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, activists Saif Abukeshek and Thiago de Avila were detained in international waters and transferred to Israel, where they are currently being held without charge.
The Sumud Global Flotilla is a civil society initiative aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip by sea. The flotilla consists of nearly 60 vessels from Spain, France, and Italy. According to the UN, Israeli forces intercepted the vessels off the coast of Greece on April 30.
According to media reports, an Israeli court in Ashkelon has granted authorities' request to extend the detention of both activists until next Sunday.
The UN demanded the immediate and unconditional release of those detained.
The statement comes amid growing international concern about the situation in the Gaza Strip, where the population is facing acute shortages of food, medicine and other essentials after months of conflict and blockade.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights emphasized that showing solidarity with the Palestinian population and attempts to deliver humanitarian aid to people in dire need of it should not be considered a crime.
The UN also expressed concern about reports of possible ill-treatment of detained activists. The organization stated that these allegations must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible brought to justice.
The UN Human Rights Office also called on Israel to end its practice of arbitrary detention and to stop enforcing vaguely worded anti-terrorism legislation, which human rights activists say contravenes international human rights standards.
In conclusion, the UN once again called for a significant expansion of humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip and demanded an end to the blockade, ensuring the delivery of aid to the population in the necessary quantities.
