SOLARES — Spain's foreign minister José Manuel Albares called for the immediate release of a Spanish-Swedish activist detained by Israel after an aid flotilla bound for Gaza was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters. Albares characterized the detention of Saif Abukeshek as unlawful.

"This is a case of illegal detention in international waters, outside the jurisdiction of Israeli authorities," Albares said.

Abukeshek, a dual Spanish-Swedish citizen of Palestinian origin, was detained for questioning by Israeli authorities on Saturday after the flotilla's interception. In an online post, Israel's Foreign Ministry said Abukeshek and fellow detainee Thiago Ávila were being questioned for possible links to the armed group Hamas, and that both had been granted consular visits.

The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, known as Adalah, visited the two activists at a detention site in the Israeli port city of Ashkelon. The Israel-based legal advocacy group said Abukeshek and Ávila had begun a hunger strike and reported being repeatedly beaten while in custody. "Adalah maintains that the treatment of the two activists, including the use of isolation, prolonged blindfolding and physical beatings, constitutes a grave violation of international law," the group said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bringing foreign citizens, including a Spanish national, to Israel. "First, Spain will always protect its citizens," Sánchez said. "And third, we demand the release of the Spanish citizen who has been illegally detained by the Netanyahu government."

Abukeshek's detention has further strained relations between Israel and Spain. Spain has criticized the war in Gaza and formally recognized Palestinian statehood in 2024.