Two Global Sumud Flotilla participants still in Israeli custody; abducted participants report severe injuries

We have received confirmation that most of the abducted Global Sumud Flotilla participants, including the members of UK Global Sumud, have been released from Israeli custody into Greek custody in Crete after 40 hours of sustained, brutal, and illegal containment.

The participants report severe injuries including broken bones and bloody wounds caused by beatings received from the IDF in Greek territorial waters, with over 30 participants currently hospitalised. As we understand it, two members of UK Global Sumud are among the hospitalised.

Two participants, Thiago Avila and Saif Abukeshek, have not been released. Participants tell us that the beatings were in part in response to attempts to stop Thiago and Saif being separated from them. We currently have no information on Thiago’s and Saif’s whereabouts and are currently working under the assumption that they will be taken to Israel.

This situation came about after the Israeli navy illegally boarded several Global Sumud Flotilla vessels in international waters and unlawfully detained over 180 people. The boats were carrying lifesaving aid including food, medicine, baby formula, and children’ s toys and were attempting to break the illegal Israeli siege on Gaza.

Many Flotilla vessels are still sailing and remain steadfast in their mission to reach Gaza. As we understand it, many kidnapped participants report a desire to rejoin the Flotilla and finish the mission.

UK Global Sumuda calls for the immediate release of our comrades Thiago and Saif, and for the world’s governments to finally end their complicity with the genocidal Israeli regime, to support the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Palestinian people, and to end the genocide.

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