Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters near Greece. The flotilla, consisting of more than 50 vessels from Italy, Spain, and France, aimed to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian supplies to the devastated Palestinian territory. A total of 175 people were intercepted during the operation.
An Israeli court in Ashkelon on Sunday ordered a two-day extension of the detention of two activists, Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila. The men were brought to Israel for interrogation, though their lawyers argue that they were part of a humanitarian mission and should be released immediately.
During the proceedings, the activists reported severe physical abuse. Thiago Avila told his lawyers he had been kept in isolation and blindfolded for days at sea, and was beaten so severely in Israeli custody that he passed out twice. Lawyers described these actions as severe physical abuse amounting to torture.
The detention of the activists has sparked international concern. The governments of Spain and Brazil issued a joint statement on Friday declaring the detention illegal.