Spain demands release of Gaza flotilla activists ‘held illegally’ by Israel

Israeli court extends detention of two men who were among 175 people intercepted near Crete on Thursday

Spain's foreign ministry has demanded the immediate release of a Spanish national it said was being held illegally" by Israel after the interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla, hours after an Israeli court moved to extend his detention by two days.

Saif Abu Keshek, who lives in Barcelona, and Thiago Avila, from Brazil, appeared in court in Ashkelon on Sunday, days after Israeli forces intercepted at least 22 boats from a flotilla that was attempting to break Israel's maritime blockade of the devastated Palestinian territory to deliver aid.