A Gaza flotilla activist detained by Israel has written an emotional letter to his young daughter, describing his participation in a humanitarian mission as a "historical task" driven by moral responsibility.
Thiago Ávila, one of around 180 activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla seized in international waters off the coast of Greece on 29 April, addressed the letter to his daughter Teresa, apologising for his absence while explaining his decision to join the mission.
In the letter, later published on his Facebook account, Ávila described the humanitarian situation in Gaza in stark terms, writing that more than a million children were "being starved" and subjected to extreme suffering.
He said his actions were motivated by a belief that "there was nothing more dangerous… than living in a world that accepts genocide".
"I'm sure you miss me too much, and all the mothers and fathers of Palestinian children also miss them so much and would give anything to live a life of love, happiness, and joy that every human being deserves, independently of race, religion, ethnicity or any other characteristic," he said, drawing a personal parallel between his own family and those in Gaza.
The letter comes as an Israeli court on Tuesday extended the detention of Ávila and fellow activist Saif Abu Keshek following a request by the state to hold them for a further six days.
No formal charges have been filed, with the extension granted for the purpose of interrogation, according to the Adalah legal centre.
The Ashkelon Magistrates’ Court approved the request without imposing limitations on the interrogation period.
During an earlier hearing, state prosecutors alleged the two activists were suspected of assisting the enemy during wartime, contact with a foreign agent, membership in and providing services to a "terrorist organisation", and transferring property to such a group.
Their lawyers rejected the accusations, arguing there is no link between delivering humanitarian aid to civilians and involvement with any armed group. They also noted that the activists were detained more than 1,000 kilometres from Gaza and are not Israeli citizens.
According to Adalah, both men are being held in total isolation under continuous high-intensity lighting and have been on hunger strike since 30 April, consuming only water. Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 72,000 people, the majority of them civilians. The humanitarian situation remains severe, with over 18,500 patients in need of medical evacuation, including at least 4,000 children, amid continued restrictions on the entry of aid.
According to Adalah, Ávila has been subjected to repeated interrogations, as well as threats and mistreatment while in custody, raising further concerns about the conditions faced by detained activists.