© WHO/X. Balkhi Displaced families in Gaza are living in overcrowded tents and temporary shelters, with limited access to clean water and sanitation. “Flotilla for Gaza”: the UN reminded Israel that delivering humanitarian aid “is not a crime” Humanitarian assistance
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called on Israel to immediately release two members of the Sumud Global Flotilla detained in international waters, and stressed that solidarity with the Palestinians and attempts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza “are not a crime.”
In a statement released Wednesday, OHCHR spokesman Tamin Al-Hitan said activists Saif Abukeshek and Thiago de Avila were detained in international waters and taken to Israel, where they are “being detained without charge.”
The Sumud Global Flotilla is a civil society initiative aimed at delivering aid to Gaza by sea. It consists of nearly 60 vessels from Spain, France and Italy and was intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Greece on April 30.
According to media reports, on Tuesday an Israeli court in Ashkelon granted the authorities’ request to extend the detention of both detainees until next Sunday.
“Israel must immediately and release these two men unconditionally,” Al-Hitan said.
The call comes amid growing international concern over restrictions on humanitarian access to Gaza, where the population faces severe shortages of food, medicine and other essentials after months of conflict and siege. humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip, who are in dire need of it, is not a crime,” Al-Hitan said.
The UN Human Rights Office also expressed alarm at allegations of abuses in detention facilities. The treatment of Mr. Abukeshek and Mr. de Avila must be investigated and those responsible must be brought to justice,” Al-Hitan said. violates international human rights standards.
“We call on Israel to end its practice of arbitrary detention and the application of vague terrorism legislation that is inconsistent with international human rights law,” the statement said. It also reiterates its call for significantly expanded humanitarian access to Gaza.
“Israel must end the blockade of Gaza and allow and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian sector in sufficient quantities,” added Tamin Al-Hitan.