Flotilla activist Thiago Avila’s mother dies as occupation holds son illegally

Teresa Regina de Avila, the mother of well-known Gaza flotilla activist Thiago Avila – and a ‘mother of the movement’ – has [died](https://www.siasat.com/detained-gaza-flotilla-activist-thiago-avilas-mother-dies-during-imprisonment-3466240/) in Brazil. She was 63 and had been ill for some time. Thiago Avila is [still being held illegally](https://www.thecanary.co/global/2026/05/02/flotilla-participants-still/) by the Israeli occupation after his humanitarian boat was [violently pirated by Israel](https://www.thecanary.co/uncategorized-en/2026/05/01/flotilla-activists-punched-kicked/) in international waters.
> Teresa Regina de Ávila e Silva, Thiago’s mother, passed away in Brasília.
>
> We express our deepest condolences to Teresa’s family and loved ones.
>
> She was 63 years old, a woman of remarkable joy and great strength. She faced years of serious illness with courage, serenity, and… [pic.twitter.com/YcgQHiYtJX](https://t.co/YcgQHiYtJX)
>
> — Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) [May 5, 2026](https://twitter.com/gbsumudflotilla/status/2051799413954331070)
Avila, along with flotilla organiser Saif Abukeshek, have been [tortured and severely beaten](https://www.thecanary.co/global/2026/05/02/flotilla-participants-still/) by their genocidal captors:
An Israeli kangaroo court yesterday, 5 May 2026, [extended](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3pnw509kpo) their illegal detention. His comrades and supporters are sending their sympathies and solidarity.

Israel is a terror state.
*Featured image via [YouTube screenshot/Al Jazeera English](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eovmAUL5BMg)*
By [Skwawkbox](https://www.thecanary.co/author/skwawkbox/)
---
**From [Canary](https://www.thecanary.co/feed) via [This RSS Feed](https://www.thecanary.co/feed).**
Teresa Regina de Avila, the mother of well-known Gaza flotilla activist Thiago Avila – and a ‘mother of the movement’ – has [died](https://www.siasat.com/detained-gaza-flotilla-activist-thiago-avilas-mother-dies-during-imprisonment-3466240/) in Brazil. She was 63 and had been ill for some time. Thiago Avila is [still being held illegally](https://www.thecanary.co/global/2026/05/02/flotilla-participants-still/) by the Israeli occupation after his humanitarian boat was [violently pirated by Israel](https://www.thecanary.co/uncategorized-en/2026/05/01/flotilla-activists-punched-kicked/) in international waters.
> Teresa Regina de Ávila e Silva, Thiago’s mother, passed away in Brasília.
>
> We express our deepest condolences to Teresa’s family and loved ones.
>
> She was 63 years old, a woman of remarkable joy and great strength. She faced years of serious illness with courage, serenity, and… [pic.twitter.com/YcgQHiYtJX](https://t.co/YcgQHiYtJX)
>
> — Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) [May 5, 2026](https://twitter.com/gbsumudflotilla/status/2051799413954331070)
Avila, along with flotilla organiser Saif Abukeshek, have been [tortured and severely beaten](https://www.thecanary.co/global/2026/05/02/flotilla-participants-still/) by their genocidal captors:
An Israeli kangaroo court yesterday, 5 May 2026, [extended](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3pnw509kpo) their illegal detention. His comrades and supporters are sending their sympathies and solidarity.

Israel is a terror state.
*Featured image via [YouTube screenshot/Al Jazeera English](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eovmAUL5BMg)*
By [Skwawkbox](https://www.thecanary.co/author/skwawkbox/)
---
**From [Canary](https://www.thecanary.co/feed) via [This RSS Feed](https://www.thecanary.co/feed).**