Brazilian activist is in solitary in Israel, says defense

Thiago Ávila was transferred to isolated cell after starting hunger strike, according to lawyers; Seven more activists detained when trying to pierce block to Gaza remain stuck.

The lawyers accompanying the case of Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, detained by the Israeli government on the 8th for trying to pierce the blockade to the boat track with 11 more people, said on Wednesday (11/06) that he was placed in solitary confinement.

According to the Israeli Human Rights Organization Adalah, responsible for defending the detainees, Ávila was transferred to another prison, separated from other activists, and isolated in a cell without light and ventilation, for starting a hunger strike for her liberation.

Avila is part of the Freedom Flotilha, an international initiative formed by human rights activists who organize maritime expeditions. In the last mission, its members, including Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg, tried to bring a symbolic amount of war -to -war, where about two million Palestinians have been on the brink of full hunger due to the blockade imposed by Israel for more than three months to enter humanitarian aid.

Avila was not deported immediately, such as Thunberg, for refusing to sign a document in which she would recognize that she committed a crime of trying to enter Israel without permission. According to Flotilha, the group agreed that the environmentalist and other prisoners sign the document so that, returning to their countries, could report the situation.

Eight expedition activists are still detained in the country until the next hearing, scheduled for July 8. The organization states, however, that they can be deported later this week, as Israeli law establishes a minimum period of detention of 72 hours before making forced deportations.

“[A defesa] Informs that Israel threatened to leave it in solitary for 7 days in a small, small, air cell and without access to anyone, ”says a statement from Flotilha da Liberdade Brasil, an entity that organized the humanitarian mission for the Gaza Strip. The case is considered a war crime by the National Human Rights Council.

The defense maintains that they did not commit a crime and were kidnapped by Israel, as the interception of the boat that carried food and medicine to Gaza occurred in international waters. Adalah lawyers ask for the immediate liberation of all activists who follow prisoners and the end of retaliation actions.

“Thiago Ávila was in isolation in Ayalon’s prison because of his hunger and thirst strike, which began two days ago. He has also been treated aggressively by the prison authorities, although he did not cast into physical aggression,” the coalition that tried to pierce Israel’s block against Gaza.

Security Camera Image shows moment when Israeli Navy intercepted humanitarian aid boat | Freedom Flotilla Coalition/Handout/Reuters

Conflicting information

Thiago’s wife, Laura Souza, said that, a few hours after being informed of the decision on the deportation, she received a call from the lawyer warning about the transfer to the solitary cell.

“There is conflicting information. They are saying that he will leave on the next flight and then marking an audience for July. So, I’m very nervous and I’m not sure what is happening,” he said on his social networks.

Another activist, the European-Palestina Euro Rima Hassan, would also have been placed in solitary after writing “Free Palestine” on the cell wall. However, Flotilha later reported that she returned to Givon’s arrest, where the other activists arrested are.

In a statement, the Israeli Embassy in Brasilia told Agência Brasil that the Brazilian is in the custody of the Israeli authorities. “Given the fact that he refused to sign a voluntary deportation, he needs to go through a legal process that will allow it,” says the text.

On Wednesday night, Itamaraty published a statement condemning the arrest of the Brazilian, informing that he accompanies the case and demanding the release of prisoners, without giving more information about the conditions in which Ávila is in. According to MRE, the arrest in international waters is a “blatant transgression to international law”.

“Brazil calls for the release of its national and urges Israel to ensure its well-being and health,” says the statement.

“In the context of a serious humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where there is widespread hunger and malnutrition, Brazil deplies the continuity of severe restrictions, in violation of international humanitarian law, the entry of basic subsistence items in the state of Palestine,” he continues.

Blockade and protests

After limiting the entry of humanitarian aid in 20 months of war, the Israeli government completely blocked the entry of medicines or food on March 2, 2025. After strong international pressure, the delivery of help resumed through an American organization supported by Israel, GHF.

The UN states that the form of food distribution is inhuman and the amount, insufficient.

Following the example of the Freedom Flotilla, thousands of activists from 51 countries articulate for a march in Egypt to the border with Rafah, a city south of Gaza. Caravans from North Africa countries, Turkey, and all continents expect to march three days to Gaza to denounce the siege imposed by Israel to the entry of humanitarian aid into the territory.

Originally published by DW on 06/11/2025