TEL AVIV: An Israeli court has extended by two days the detention of two foreign activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters, their lawyer said on Sunday.
The Ashkelon Magistrates Court ordered the extension following a hearing for Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, who were transferred to Israel after being detained at sea.
Colonial courts have granted an extension of Saif and Thiago’s illegal detention by two days. Lawyers will update us soon with more information. We demand their immediate release. Keep the pressure up.
📷 Yoav Etiel, Walla pic.twitter.com/9pBoaGbPOb
— Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) May 3, 2026
“The court extended their detention by two days,” said Miriam Azem of Adalah, which is representing the activists.
She added that Israeli authorities had initially requested a four-day extension.
A court spokesperson confirmed that the remand had been extended until May 5.
Flotilla intercepted at sea
The activists were among those aboard a Global Sumud flotilla of more than 50 vessels that set sail from ports in France, Spain and Italy to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.
Israeli forces intercepted the convoy early Thursday in international waters off Greece.
Israeli authorities said around 175 activists were detained, with many later taken to the Greek island of Crete, while two were transferred to Israel for questioning.
The flotilla’s organisers said the interception took place far from Gaza and accused Israeli forces of destroying equipment, describing the situation as a “calculated death trap at sea”.
In a statement, the Global Sumud Flotilla said Israeli forces boarded at least 21 boats and transferred detainees to an Israeli vessel, where they were subjected to “physical and verbal violence”.
The group said 36 people required hospital treatment after their release.
Allegations of abuse
According to Adalah, Avila told lawyers he was “subjected to extreme brutality” during the interception, alleging he was dragged face-down and beaten until he lost consciousness twice.
He also said he had been held in isolation and blindfolded since arriving in Israel.
The group said Abu Keshek was handcuffed, blindfolded and forced to lie face-down from the moment of his detention until his arrival in Israel.
Lawyer Hadeel Abu Salih told Reuters the two activists deny the allegations against them and said their detention was unlawful due to a lack of jurisdiction.
She added that both men had been kept restrained and blindfolded during their transfer.
Israeli authorities have accused the activists of offences including assisting an enemy during wartime, contact with a foreign agent, according to Adalah.
Israel’s foreign ministry earlier described flotilla organisers as “professional provocateurs” and said it would not allow any breach of what it called a lawful naval blockade on Gaza.
Spain and Brazil issued a joint statement on Friday calling the activists’ detention illegal.
The flotilla is part of a renewed effort by international activists to challenge Israel’s long-standing blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian supplies to the territory.
A previous Global Sumud flotilla in 2025 drew global attention before being intercepted by Israeli forces off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza.
Activists, including Greta Thunberg, were detained and later expelled.
Organisers of the latest mission said the convoy departed from Barcelona on April 12, with the main fleet sailing from Sicily on April 26.
They said some activists were held for up to 40 hours without food or water, while others reported being beaten, kicked or dragged during the operation.
