Members of the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels, intercepted by the Israeli Navy in international waters, demonstrate in the town of Ierapetra in the island of Crete, Greece. AFP
"Colonial courts have granted an extension of Saif and Thiago’s illegal detention by two days. Lawyers will update us soon with more information", the GSF said.
"We demand their immediate release. Keep the pressure up", they added.
"The court extended their detention by two days," said Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at the rights group Adalah.
Israeli authorities had asked to extend their detention by four days, Azem said.
The decision followed a Sunday morning court appearance for the two activists, who were transferred to Israeli custody for interrogation after being intercepted at sea.
The Gaza-bound flotilla of more than 50 vessels departing from ports in France, Spain, and Italy with the aim of breaking Israel’s 19-year of Gaza and bringing supplies to the devastated Palestinian territory.
They were intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Greece early on Thursday, with Israel saying it had removed some 175 activists -- two of whom were taken to Israel for questioning.
Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila appeared before a court in Ashkelon on Sunday.
"The state asked to extend their detention by four days," Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at the rights group Adalah, told AFP.
On Saturday, Adalah said its lawyers had met the two detained activists at Shikma Prison in Ashkelon.
Avila told the lawyers he had been "subjected to extreme brutality" when the vessels were seized, adding that he was "dragged face-down across the floor and beaten so severely that he passed out twice".
Since arriving in Israel, he said he had been "kept in isolation and blindfolded," according to Adalah.
Abu Keshek was also "hand-tied and blindfolded ... and forced to lie face-down on the floor from the moment of his seizure" until reaching Israel, the group said.
Spain has condemned the detention of Avila and rejected the Israeli accusation against him.
Organisers of the latest flotilla said the Israeli interception took place more than 1,000 kilometres from Gaza and their equipment was smashed, leaving them facing a "calculated death trap at sea".
Israeli forces has detained scores of activists who were beaten and abused, with dozens requiring hospital treatment and others deported, officials and organizers said.
Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla saying their equipment had been smashed and that the attack had left them facing a "calculated death trap at sea."
The GSF stated that Israeli forces boarded at least 21 boats and transferred detainees to an Israeli vessel, NAHSHON, where they were subjected to “physical and verbal violence”. The group said 36 people required hospital treatment after their release.
Activists described being punched, kicked, and dragged while restrained, and in some cases, being fired upon with live and rubber ammunition. Some said they were held for up to 40 hours without food or water.
The Global Sumud Flotilla's first Mediterranean voyage to Gaza in the summer and autumn of 2025 drew worldwide attention, before Israeli forces intercepted the boats off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza in early October.
Crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested and expelled by Israeli forces.
* This story was edited by Ahram Online.
Short link: