Israel court extends detention of two Gaza flotilla activists
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- An Israeli court has extended the detention of two foreign activists by six days after they were seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla, their lawyer said Tuesday.
- The two, held in a prison in Ashkelon, were among dozens of activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off the coast of Greece early on Thursday.
- Representatives for Avila and Abu Keshek have accused Israeli authorities of abusing the two men, who have been on hunger strike for the past six days.
- a six-day extension, which means the next hearing will be on Sunday," said Hadeel Abu Salih, a lawyer with Israeli rights group Adalah, which represents the activists.
- Rights group says Gaza flotilla activists facing abuse in Israeli jail - News24
An Israeli court has extended the detention of two activists, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, who were seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. The court's decision allows for an additional six days of interrogation, as Israeli authorities continue their investigation into the activists' activities.
The flotilla, which aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, was intercepted off the coast of Greece, leading to the arrest of the two foreign nationals. Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish-Swedish national of Palestinian origin, and Thiago Avila, a Brazilian national, have been held in Ashkelon prison since their capture.
The activists' legal representatives, including the rights group Adalah, have accused Israeli authorities of subjecting the pair to severe physical abuse and psychological torture. According to their lawyers, both men have been held in solitary confinement and have faced threats of death or lengthy imprisonment during interrogations.
The Brazilian embassy, which has been monitoring Avila's condition, reported visible injuries on his face and noted that he complained of significant shoulder pain. In response to their treatment, both activists have undertaken a hunger strike, now in its sixth day, to protest the alleged abuses.
The activists deny any wrongdoing, asserting that their mission was purely humanitarian. Their detention has sparked a legal battle, with their lawyers arguing that the arrest in international waters was unlawful and that the activists should be released immediately.
Israeli authorities have not confirmed the allegations of abuse but have justified the detention extension as necessary for a thorough investigation. The case has drawn international attention, with human rights organizations and foreign governments closely monitoring the situation. The legal proceedings are set to continue, with the next court hearing scheduled for Sunday.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the blockade of Gaza and the international efforts to challenge it through humanitarian missions. The flotilla's interception and the subsequent treatment of its activists have raised questions about the legality of such actions in international waters and the treatment of detainees in Israeli custody.
As the legal process unfolds, the activists' supporters continue to call for their immediate release and an independent investigation into the allegations of mistreatment. The outcome of this case may have broader implications for future humanitarian efforts aimed at Gaza and many governments's response to such interventions.
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