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Israel said Saturday that two activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla were brought to Israel for questioning after Israeli forces intercepted the vessels in international waters off Greece.
The flotilla, made up of more than 50 vessels, had sailed from ports in France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza and delivering supplies to the Palestinian territory, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Israeli forces intercepted the vessels early Thursday in international waters off Greece, AFP reported.
Israel said it removed around 175 activists from the flotilla.
Organizers, however, accused Israeli personnel of “kidnapping” 211 people.
Two activists, Saif Abu Keshek from Spain and Thiago Avila from Brazil, were taken to Israel “for questioning by law enforcement authorities,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said on X.
The ministry said both activists would receive consular visits from representatives of their countries in Israel.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares denounced Israel’s detention of Abu Keshek as “illegal,” saying it took place in international waters and outside Israeli jurisdiction.
“We are facing an illegal detention in international waters, outside any jurisdiction of the Israeli authorities so Saif Abu Keshek must be released immediately so that he can return to Spain,” Albares told Rac1 radio.
“This is an episode that further strains our relationship...(with Israel) because of how unacceptable this situation is, because a state does not conduct itself in this manner,” he said.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the two activists were affiliated with an organization sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury.
The group, the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, has been accused by Washington of “clandestinely acting on behalf of” Hamas.
The U.S. Treasury said the organization had played a role in organizing other Gaza-bound flotillas aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Abu Keshek was a leading member of the group. It said Avila was also linked to the organization and was “suspected of illegal activity.”
Albares rejected the allegation against Abu Keshek.
“The information I myself have requested indicates that no link can be established between Saif Abu Keshek and Hamas,” he said.
Avila was among the organizers of another flotilla that tried to bring aid to Gaza last year. That effort was also intercepted by Israeli forces.
The detention comes amid already strained relations between Spain and Israel.
Ties have deteriorated since the Gaza war, which was sparked by Hamas’ cross-border attacks in October 2023.
Israel has been angered by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s criticism of its bombardment of Gaza.
Both countries have withdrawn their ambassadors.
Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, which has been under Israeli blockade since 2007.
During the Gaza war, Gaza has faced shortages of critical supplies, with Israel at times cutting off aid entirely.
Organizers of the latest flotilla said the interception took place more than 1,000 kilometers from Gaza.
They said their equipment was smashed and described the intervention as a “calculated death trap at sea.”
Dozens of intercepted activists disembarked Friday on the Greek island of Crete, according to an AFP journalist.
Organizers published photos on X showing two activists with bruises on their faces. One participant said in footage that Israeli forces had “beaten” them “several times.”
Hamas condemned the interception and urged rights groups to pursue legal action against Israeli authorities for “crimes against the Global Sumud Flotilla, ensuring they do not enjoy impunity.”
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.
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