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An Israeli court on Sunday extended by two days the detention of two foreign activists seized from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters.
Their lawyers alleged the men had endured torture, including beatings, isolation, and days of blindfolding at sea, and both continued a hunger strike in protest of their confinement.
The Ashkelon Magistrate's Court approved a two-day extension for Spanish-Palestinian activist Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, who are being held at Shikma Prison in Ashkelon.
Israeli prosecutors had sought a four-day extension, presenting suspected offenses including "assisting the enemy during wartime," "contact with a foreign agent," "membership in and providing services to a terrorist organization" and "transfer of property to a terrorist organization."
No formal charges have been filed against either man.
Rights group Adalah, which is representing the two activists, said its lawyers met with Avila and Abu Keshek at Shikma Prison on Saturday.
The men testified to what Adalah described as "severe physical abuse amounting to torture."
Avila told lawyers he had been "subjected to extreme brutality" when the vessels were seized, saying he was "dragged face-down across the floor and beaten so severely that he passed out twice." Since arriving in Israel, he said he had been "kept in isolation and blindfolded," according to Adalah.
Abu Keshek was "hand-tied and blindfolded ... and forced to lie face-down on the floor from the moment of his seizure" until reaching Israel, the group said.
Both activists are continuing a hunger strike in protest of what Adalah described as their "unlawful detention and ill-treatment."
In court, Adalah lawyers argued the detention and prosecution process was "legally flawed and unlawful," contending that Israel has no authority to apply its domestic law to foreign nationals seized in international waters.
The lawyers characterized the security-framed charges as "retaliation" designed to obstruct humanitarian activity and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of both men.
Israel's Foreign Ministry said the pair are affiliated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, a group the United States has accused of "clandestinely acting on behalf of" Hamas.
The ministry said Abu Keshek is a leading member of the organization and that Avila is linked to it and "suspected of illegal activity."
Spain's Foreign Ministry called for Abu Keshek's "immediate release," rejecting Israeli accusations against him and describing his detention as illegal. The Spanish consul in Tel Aviv accompanied Abu Keshek to the Sunday hearing.
"The government of Spain demands his immediate release," the ministry said.
The Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 Spring Mission departed Barcelona, Spain, on April 12. After additional participants joined in Sicily, the fleet set out again on April 26 with 345 activists from 39 countries, including Turkish nationals.
Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters off Crete on April 29, over 1,000 kilometers (621.3 miles) from Gaza, detaining 177 activists, injuring 31 and damaging vessels to render them unseaworthy.
On May 1, Israeli forces released the group, except for Abu Keshek and Avila, to Greece's island of Crete. Dozens of flotilla vessels remain in Greek waters, awaiting continuation of the mission.
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