Lisbon, May 19, 2026 (Lusa) - The president of the Portuguese Medical Association said on Tuesday that the Portuguese state is taking action to guarantee the safety, security, and repatriation of the healthcare professionals who were detained by Israeli authorities while taking part in an aid flotilla.

Carlos Cortes, speaking to reporters at the Medical Association headquarters, said he had attempted to contact the Portuguese doctors in question, who are registered with the association, but had been unable to reach them.

“I won’t go into details, but I know that the government is taking action to ensure two things: the safety, security and dignity of these two doctors, and their repatriation,” he said.

The two Portuguese doctors were detained by Israeli authorities during the "Global Sumud Flotilla" mission, after the vessel they were travelling on towards the Gaza Strip was intercepted in international waters.

On Monday, Carlos Cortes condemned the detention of the Portuguese doctors by Israeli forces, saying that he was closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the foreign ministry and the health ministry.

The government also summoned the Israeli ambassador to Lisbon on Monday to protest against the detention of the two Portuguese doctors aboard the flotilla, calling the move a violation of international law.

SO/MYAL // ADB.

Lusa