Israeli court upholds detention of two foreign nationals seized during Gaza aid flotilla

An Israeli district court in Beersheva has rejected an appeal filed by two foreign nationals challenging their detention, a decision that upholds a previous ruling extending their custody until Sunday. The pair, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, were seized by Israeli forces last week in international waters off the coast of Greece while participating in a humanitarian aid flotilla attempting to breach the blockade of the Gaza Strip. While other activists on the vessel were taken to Crete and released, these two were brought to Israel for further questioning.

The legal representatives for the men, the Israeli rights group Adalah, have characterised the arrest as an illegal kidnapping occurring without authority in international waters. Following the hearing, Adalah stated that the court accepted the arguments presented by the state and police regarding the legality of the detention. During the proceedings, the activists appeared before the judge shackled; reports describe Abu Keshek as looking exhausted while Avila remained calm.

While Israeli authorities have not filed formal charges, they accuse the men of assisting the enemy during wartime and membership in a terrorist organisation linked to Hamas. The foreign ministry notes that both men were affiliated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, a group accused by the United States of acting clandestinely on behalf of Hamas. Despite the lack of formal charges, the court has authorised police to continue interrogating the pair.

Adalah has lodged serious allegations regarding the treatment of the detainees, claiming continuous abuse in custody including total isolation and 24/7 high-intensity lighting. The group reports that the men were kept blindfolded during movement and medical examinations. Abu Keshek reportedly stopped drinking water in addition to a hunger strike he began, while his legal team describes the interrogation process as repetitive and focused on the context of the humanitarian mission.

International pressure for the activists' release has intensified, with Spain, Brazil, and the United Nations calling for their immediate freedom. A UN rights office spokesman stated that showing solidarity and attempting to deliver humanitarian aid is not a crime. The flotilla had set sail from France, Spain, and Italy with the aim of delivering aid to Gaza, a territory which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.

The ruling by the Beersheva court effectively legitimises the initial interception in the eyes of the domestic legal system, despite the ongoing diplomatic disputes surrounding the use of force in international waters. As the detention extends, the incident remains a focal point of tension between Israeli security policies and international humanitarian efforts.