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Israel deports detained Gaza flotilla activists

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Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila, two pro-Palestinian activists who were detained in Israel after sailing on a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza, have been deported.

They have been in Israel until now after the Global Sumud flotilla, consisting of 22 ships and around 175 activists, was intercepted in international waters near Crete last week.

All other activists were taken to Crete and released. The human rights group representing the two activists, Adalah, said their detention was unlawful and that the Israeli charges against them were unfounded.

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Israel said it suspected the two of them of being linked to a terrorist group, and Ávila of illegal activities, which they denied.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced this morning that authorities had completed their investigation and confirmed that the two activists had been deported.

"Israel will not allow any violation of the lawful naval blockade of Gaza," it said.

During their seven-day detention in the southern Israeli city, according to their lawyer, the activists were subjected to psychological abuse, including prolonged interrogations, constant bright lighting in their cells, complete isolation, and being moved while blindfolded, even during medical examinations.

Abu Keshek is a Spanish citizen of Palestinian origin, while Ávila is Brazilian.

After being taken from the flotilla to Israel, the detention of the two men was extended for an additional six days on Tuesday, and an appeal filed by their lawyers was rejected the following day.

The two men have been on hunger strike since the beginning of their detention, and Abu Keshek has also been refusing water since May 5th.

Brazil, Spain and the UN have demanded their release and also called their detention illegal.

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