Israel Deports Gaza Aid Flotilla Leaders And Hits Vehicle In Khan Younis
Israel deported aid-flotilla leaders Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila on Sunday, May 10, 2026, after detaining them for slightly over a week.[1]
They were among 175 activists on 22 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla that the Israeli navy intercepted off Crete overnight from Wednesday to Thursday.[1] Spain and Brazil issued a joint statement condemning the seizure as the kidnapping of their citizens, and the Israeli Foreign Ministry called the flotilla leaders "professional provocateurs" while defending what it describes as a lawful Gaza naval blockade.[1]
Late Sunday morning, an Israeli strike hit a vehicle in Khan Younis' Al-Amal neighborhood, killing at least two people, including Hamas police official Col. Wessam Abdel-Hadi, Gaza hospital and civil defense authorities said.[1]
The deportations and the strike underscore rising tensions as governments, activists and Israeli officials dispute the legality and security implications of naval enforcement around Gaza.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Sunday, May 10, 2026, Israel deported activists Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila after detaining them for slightly over a week.
- They were among 175 activists on 22 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla intercepted by the Israeli navy off Crete overnight from Wednesday to Thursday.
- Spain and Brazil issued a joint statement condemning the seizure as the kidnapping of their citizens in international waters.
- The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the flotilla leaders "professional provocateurs" and vowed to enforce what it describes as a lawful Gaza naval blockade.
- An Israeli strike late Sunday morning hit a vehicle in Khan Younis’ Al-Amal neighborhood, killing at least two people, including Hamas police official Col. Wessam Abdel-Hadi, according to Gaza hospital and civil defense authorities.
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