An Israeli court has extended the detention of two foreign activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla until Sunday, a rights group representing them said, as authorities continue to question the pair.
Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila appeared before a court in the city of Ashkelon for their second hearing today, after they were brought to Israel for questioning last week.
The two, held in a prison in the southern Israeli city, were among dozens of activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Greece last week.
Seven Irish citizens were among the activists detained but subsequently released, while sister of President Catherine Connolly, Dr Margaret Connolly, was also on board the flotilla, but was not detained.
At their first hearing on Sunday, the court extended their detention by two days. A second hearing was held today, where both appeared with their legs shackled.
"The court approved their detention until Sunday morning," at today's hearing, Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at the Israeli rights group Adalah said.
Adalah said the two activists were on hunger strike, with today their sixth day of protest.
Yesterday, the rights group alleged the pair had been subjected to physical and psychological abuse in detention.
Abuse claims
Both Mr Abu Keshek and Mr Avila are being held in isolation, with "high-intensity lighting" on at all times in their cells, Adalah said, adding that Mr Avila was being held in "extremely cold temperatures".
"They are kept blindfolded at all times whenever they are moved outside their cells, including during medical examinations," it said.
Israeli authorities have rejected the abuse claims.
At Sunday's hearing, Adalah said the state attorney had presented a list of offences the pair were accused of, including "assisting the enemy during wartime" and "membership in and providing services to a terrorist organisation".
But Adalah's lawyers challenged the state's jurisdiction, arguing there had been an "unlawful abduction" of the two activists in international waters.
Israel's foreign ministry said both individuals were affiliated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), a group accused by Washington of "clandestinely acting on behalf of" Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The ministry said Mr Abu Keshek was a leading PCPA member, and that Mr Avila was also linked to the group and "suspected of illegal activity".
The flotilla's vessels had set sail from France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking Israel's blockade of Gaza and bringing humanitarian supplies to the devastated Palestinian territory, but they were intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Greece.
The Global Sumud Flotilla's first voyage last year was also intercepted by Israeli forces off the coasts of Egypt and Gaza.
Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
Throughout the Gaza war that started in October 2023, there have been shortages of critical supplies in the territory, with Israel at times cutting off aid entirely.
