Overview
- Saif Abu Keshek of Spain and Thiago Ávila of Brazil, who appeared in an Ashkelon court on Sunday, had their detention extended by two days for further questioning with no charges filed, according to their lawyer.
- Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud flotilla in international waters near Greece late Wednesday into Thursday, removing about 175 activists and transferring most to Crete, where several were treated in hospitals.
- Adalah lawyers and released participants allege beatings, blindfolding, and harsh conditions during the seizure and transfer, while Israel’s foreign ministry says those taken off the boats were unharmed; both detained men have begun hunger strikes.
- Israel says the pair are linked to the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, a group sanctioned by the U.S., as Spain and Brazil call the detention illegal and press for consular access and release.
- Organisers say the multi-boat mission set out to deliver aid and challenge Gaza’s naval blockade in place since 2007, and the dispute now centers on whether Israel can assert jurisdiction over foreign activists stopped far from Gaza under the law of the sea.