Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Ávila, a Brazilian national, were among dozens of activists aboard the GSF, intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters off the Greek coast on 30 April.

GSF organizers said activists were subjected to physical and verbal abuse by Israeli occupation forces during the boarding of at least 21 boats. They also said communication and navigation equipment was destroyed, describing the operation as a “calculated death trap at sea.”

According to testimonies from activists, several detainees were punched, kicked, and dragged while restrained, while others reported that Israeli forces used both live and rubber ammunition during the raid. Some activists said they were held for up to 40 hours without food or water.

The GSF also reported that Abu Keshek was tortured after being separated from other detainees aboard an Israeli military vessel. Witnesses cited by organizers said they heard his screams during detention.

Both Abu Keshek and Ávila were taken to Israel for questioning following their arrest by Israeli forces, and the remaining activists were transferred to the Greek island of Crete, where they were later released.

The Israeli foreign ministry stated via X on Sunday that Tel Aviv would not allow any breach of the blockade on Gaza.

Spain, Brazil, and the United Nations (UN) had all called for the men's swift release.

On Wednesday, an Israeli court rejected an appeal contesting the pair's detention, with the rights group representing them calling the ruling "unlawful."

The flotilla had set sail from France, Spain, and Italy to break Israel's siege on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

Israeli forces also intercepted the GSF's first voyage off the coast of Gaza last year.

The Gaza Strip has suffered from a total Israeli naval blockade since 2007.

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