Tel aviv: The Global Sumud Flotilla coalition claimed on Sunday that Israeli forces subjected a Spanish activist of Palestinian origin to 'systematic torture' after the interception and seizure of boats in international waters. These boats were carrying activists on a humanitarian mission to the Gaza Strip, aimed at breaking Israel's blockade on the territory.
According to Anadolu Agency, Saif Abukeshek and Brazilian activist Thiago de Avila were among 175 activists aboard more than 20 boats that were raided and intercepted on Thursday while en route to Gaza. The flotilla aimed to defy the Israeli siege by reaching the Gaza Strip, but the activists were taken to Israel for questioning and potential prosecution, the coalition reported.
The Israeli court extended the detention of the activists by two days on Sunday. Adalah, an Israeli advocacy group for Palestinians inside Israel, confirmed the court's decision. The Global Sumud Flotilla stated that the Israeli Occupation Forces intercepted 22 vessels in international waters less than 80 nautical miles west of the Greek island of Crete. The group reported that 175 civilian participants were abducted from 21 boats and transferred to the Israeli vessel NAHSHON, where they faced physical and verbal violence.
The coalition cited eyewitness testimony from released participants who alleged that Abukeshek faced systematic torture after being separated from the others. The flotilla described the interception as 'a dangerous escalation and an additional war crime' by the Israeli military.
The incident resulted in injuries to 36 activists during the interception and detention. They were transported to a hospital upon arrival at the port of Lerapetra in southern Crete, although the nature of the injuries was not specified. Legal efforts by several judicial bodies to prevent the transfer of civilians from Greek territorial waters in what the flotilla called an 'illegal operation' were unsuccessful.
The flotilla characterized the interception as 'an extension of the blockade imposed on Gaza,' accusing Israeli forces of torturing civilians trying to bring aid to Gaza's residents. The coalition urged the international community and European governments to demand the immediate release of Abukeshek and Avila, condemning the use of torture and unlawful detention against humanitarian activists. It also called for accountability for Israeli violations of international law, including torture, unlawful detention, and attacks on civilians in international waters, and an investigation into the role of Greek authorities in permitting the Israeli vessel to depart with detainees.
By Friday, Israel had released all activists detained from the flotilla except Abukeshek and Avila, as stated by its Foreign Ministry. They are set to be questioned further. Adalah described the transfer of the activists to Israeli territory for interrogation as 'the abduction of foreign nationals from international waters off Greek territorial waters.'
Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since 2007. Around 1.5 million Palestinians in the enclave have been displaced following widespread destruction during the conflict that began on Oct. 8, 2023. This conflict has resulted in over 72,000 deaths and more than 172,000 injuries, according to Palestinian figures. Gaza is currently facing an unprecedented humanitarian and health crisis, with severe damage to infrastructure, including hospitals and health facilities.