JERUSALEM, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Two members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international humanitarian convoy intercepted by the Israeli navy in the Mediterranean Sea while en route to Gaza, were brought to Israel for questioning by law enforcement authorities, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Saturday in a statement.
The flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters on Wednesday evening, and 175 of its participants disembarked on the Greek island of Crete on Friday, in coordination with the Greek government.
According to the Israeli statement, the two who were not released are Saif Abu Keshek, allegedly a leading member of the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), and Thiago Avila, who operates with the PCPA and is suspected of illegal activity.
The PCPA, a main organizer of recent flotillas that aimed to break Israel's "security cordon" around Gaza, was sanctioned by the United States, claiming it is clandestinely acting on behalf of Hamas.
The Israeli ministry said that the two people will receive consular visits from representatives of their respective countries in Israel. Abu Keshek is a Spanish and Swedish national, and Avila has a Brazilian citizenship.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising dozens of vessels, set sail from Barcelona in April and expanded during its stop in Italy to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge the longstanding Israeli blockade of the territory.
Israel said the flotilla was intercepted to enforce what it described as a lawful naval blockade on Gaza. The Israeli operation drew condemnation from several countries, which described the interception as an "assault."