Israeli court extends detention of two Gaza flotilla activists
Israeli Court Grants Extension to Detention of Two Gaza Flotilla Activists
Israeli court extends detention of two Gaza – Following a recent ruling by an Israeli court, two pro-Palestinian activists—Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Ávila—have seen their detention extended. The decision, reported by the rights organization Adalah, allows Israeli authorities additional time to interrogate the individuals. This comes after the pair were apprehended during the interception of a flotilla transporting aid to Gaza, which occurred in international waters near Greece last Thursday.
The flotilla, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), consisted of 22 vessels and was part of an ongoing effort to deliver humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip. When Israeli forces halted the operation, approximately 175 activists were detained. Most of these were later released on the island of Crete, but Abu Keshek and Ávila remain in custody. Their continued detention has sparked concerns from Spain and Brazil, which have called for their immediate release, arguing that the action violates international law.
According to Adalah, the activists have been on hunger strike for six days, adding to the pressure on Israeli authorities. A spokesperson for the group, Hadeel Abu Salih, stated before the court that the detention represents “an illegal act that must end now.” She emphasized that the two men were arrested in international waters—over 1,000 kilometers from Gaza—and brought into Israel against their will. Abu Salih further claimed that their treatment under detention “amounts to psychological torture,” citing the isolation and blindfolding practices they have endured during interrogations.
“We made it clear before the court today that, first of all, we are talking about an illegal detention that must end now,” said Abu Salih. “We are talking about two foreign nationals that were arrested in international waters approximately a thousand kilometres from Gaza and brought into Israel against their will.”
The Israeli foreign ministry has dismissed the allegations of torture, calling them “false and baseless.” The ministry also asserted that the interception of the GSF and the detention of its participants were in line with international legal standards. Officials highlighted that the flotilla was a “PR stunt” and that the actions taken by Israeli forces were necessary to prevent the breach of a lawful blockade.
Abu Keshek and Ávila are suspected of ties to the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), an organization linked to the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel has labeled the PCPA a terrorist entity, accusing it of facilitating the movement of activists and supporters. The ministry claimed Abu Keshek is a “leading member” of the group, while Ávila is suspected of engaging in illegal activities through his association with the PCPA.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed strong disapproval of Ávila’s detention, describing it as “an unjustifiable action by the Israeli government.” He added that the arrest “causes great concern” and must be condemned by all nations. On X, the president reiterated his stance, stating that the detention of the flotilla activists in international waters was a “serious affront to international law.”
“The detention of the flotilla activists in international waters had already represented a serious affront to international law,” wrote Lula da Silva on X. “Holding Ávila is an unjustifiable action by the Israeli government, causes great concern, and must be condemned by all.”
Spain’s foreign ministry sources echoed Brazil’s position, stating that the country “considers Abu Keshek’s detention illegal.” Both nations have urged Israel to release their citizens, emphasizing the diplomatic repercussions of prolonged custody. The GSF organizers, who have consistently defended the activists, accused Israel of engaging in acts of piracy, asserting that the charges against Abu Keshek and Ávila lack substantial evidence.
The detention of these two individuals is part of a broader pattern of arrests by Israel. Last October, the country stopped a similar flotilla organized by the GSF, detaining and deporting over 470 participants. Among them was Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, whose involvement drew global attention to the conflict. This latest action has once again raised questions about the fairness of Israel’s legal procedures and its treatment of foreign nationals.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that was agreed upon six months ago. The United Nations has warned that the situation remains dire, with aid deliveries still facing significant challenges. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher recently stated that assistance for the territory’s 2.1 million people “must be scaled up by removing impediments and safeguarding neutrality of aid.” Cogat, Israel’s defense body overseeing Gaza’s crossings, maintains that it is facilitating aid entry and that there are no restrictions on the volume of supplies that can reach the region.
International reactions to the extended detention have been mixed. While some governments have supported Israel’s actions, citing the need to enforce the blockade, others have condemned the measures as disproportionate. The GSF has framed its mission as a symbolic act of solidarity with the Palestinian people, aiming to break the “illegal siege” on Gaza. Adalah has highlighted that the current detention of Abu Keshek and Ávila is an attempt to criminalize such efforts, reinforcing the activists’ claim that their arrest is politically motivated.
With the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsening, the continued detention of these two activists underscores the tension between Israel’s security interests and its obligations under international law. The debate over their legal status has intensified, as both countries and activists insist on the rights of their nationals. Meanwhile, the Israeli government remains steadfast in its assertion that the operation was necessary to uphold the blockade and prevent the flotilla from reaching its destination. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the treatment of international activists and the enforcement of maritime laws in the region.