️ The Israeli regime is set to release two activists from a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza, according to a rights group. Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish-Palestinian, and Brazilian Thiago Avila will be freed on Saturday and handed over to immigration authorities pending deportation.

️ Lawyer Hadeel Abu Salih, who co-represented the pair in Israeli courts, told Al Jazeera they are “expected to be released to their home countries in the coming days.” The Adalah rights group said it is “closely monitoring” the situation.

️ Abu Keshek and Avila were among dozens of activists who set sail for Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off the coast of Greece. While the other 168 members were taken to Crete and released, the two were taken to Israel for further questioning.

️ Abu Salih called their abduction a “clear violation of international law,” arguing that the legal team “argued that this entire process was a sham proceeding with no legal basis, intended to punish them for attempting to challenge Israel’s illegal blockade.”

️ During detention, the activists were “held in total isolation under punitive conditions despite the purely civilian nature of their mission,” Adalah said. Both went on hunger strike, with Abu Keshek refusing water since Tuesday. The Israeli regime has denied allegations of abuse.

️ An Israeli court extended their imprisonment until Sunday despite no charges being filed, though they faced accusations of being affiliated with “terrorist organisations and foreign agents.” Abu Salih dismissed the claims as “baseless” and condemned Israel’s actions as “grave violations of international law.”

Source: www.aljazeera.com