Israel Extends Detention of Gaza-Bound Flotilla Activists

An Israeli court has extended by two days the detention of two activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Greece. According to reports, Israeli naval forces intercepted 175 people aboard 21 vessels from the “Global Sumud Flotilla”. The detainees are Spanish citizen Saif Abou Kesek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila.

Lawyers said the two were transferred to Israel, while more than 100 other participants were taken to the Greek island of Crete. The court ordered their detention to be extended until 5 May. Spain and Brazil have described the detention as illegal.

Israeli authorities suspect the activists of several offences, including supporting the enemy during wartime or collaborating with the terrorist organisation Hamas. The defence rejects the accusations, saying the mission aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

Israel maintains that it will not tolerate attempts to breach its naval blockade of Gaza and has described the flotilla organisers as provocateurs.

Israel argues that the naval blockade, in place since 2007, is a lawful measure of self-defence aimed at preventing weapons smuggling by Hamas, citing international maritime law.

(reuters, sab)