Overview
- An Israeli judge on Sunday extended by two days the custody of Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila, who were seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla and brought to Ashkelon for questioning.
- Rights lawyers say both men reported beatings, blindfolding, hand-tying and isolation during seizure and transfer, while Israel rejects the torture claims and says force was used only to stop resistance.
- Israeli authorities cite suspected offences and alleged ties to the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, a group the United States sanctioned for links it says run to Hamas, though no charges have been filed.
- Spain and Brazil denounced the transfers as illegal and demanded the activists’ immediate release, with consular officials attending court and preparing for another hearing on Tuesday.
- Most of the more than 100 other participants were taken to Crete and released after Thursday’s interception in international waters off Greece, which organisers call unlawful and which revives disputes over the Gaza blockade in place since 2007.