Two activists from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla were presented before an Israeli court in Ashkelon on Sunday, following their abduction in international waters earlier this week. The court approved a two-day extension of their detention despite reports of severe physical abuse and torture during their time in custody. Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national, and Thiago Avila, a Brazilian activist, have been on a hunger strike since their detention began, consuming only water to protest their unlawful arrest and treatment.
The legal center Adalah, which represents the men, reported harrowing testimonies from Shikma Prison. Abu Keshek, a Spanish-Swedish national of Palestinian origin, reported being kept blindfolded and hand-tied in stress positions for prolonged periods. His face and hands show visible bruising from being forced to lie face-down on the floor. Similarly, Thiago Avila was reportedly subjected to extreme brutality, including being dragged across the floor and beaten so severely that he lost consciousness twice. The Brazilian embassy has confirmed visible injuries on Avila’s face and reported significant pain in his shoulder.
Saif Abu Keshek is a prominent figure in the European Palestinian solidarity movement, based in Barcelona. A father of three, he has dedicated over 20 years to organizing movements across the continent and chairs the Global Coalition Against the Occupation in Palestine. His companion, 38-year-old Thiago Avila, is a well-known socio-environmentalist from Brazil who has previously faced Israeli detention in 2025 during a similar humanitarian mission. Both men were part of a 175-person group intercepted by the Israeli military near Greece on Thursday, but they are the only two who remain in custody.
The international response to the detentions has been one of sharp condemnation. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez delivered a stern message to Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that Spain will always protect its citizens and uphold international law. He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Abu Keshek. Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the interception of the flotilla in international waters as an "act of piracy." Protests have erupted in Barcelona and other major cities as rights groups call for accountability over the treatment of the activists.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of more than 50 vessels, set sail from European ports on April 12 with the mission of breaking the long-standing blockade on the Gaza Strip. The enclave, home to 2.3 million people, has been under a total land, sea, and air blockade since 2005. Activists argue that the forced transfer of civilians from international waters into Israeli custody constitutes a serious violation of maritime law. As the two-day extension looms, the pressure on the Israeli government continues to mount from both diplomatic and humanitarian channels worldwide.
