JERUSALEM, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The Israel-based rights group Adalah said in a statement Saturday that two members of a Gaza-bound flotilla detained in Israel are expected to be released later in the day.

According to the statement, the group was informed of the expected release by Israel's domestic security agency, Shin Bet.

Adalah, which represents the two detainees -- Thiago Avila of Brazil and Saif Abukeshek of Spain -- said they will be transferred to Israeli immigration authorities and remain in custody pending deportation.

Avila and Abukeshek were aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international humanitarian convoy intercepted by the Israeli navy in late April in the Mediterranean Sea while en route to Gaza.

In coordination with the Greek government, 175 flotilla participants were released on the island of Crete, while Avila and Abukeshek were transferred to Israeli custody.

Several countries and organizations condemned the detention of the pair, saying they were seized illegally in international waters outside Israeli jurisdiction.

During a hearing in a court in southern Israel, police said the two were suspected of aiding an enemy, contact with a foreign agent and ties to a terrorist organization.

On Tuesday, an Israeli court extended their detention by six days.

On Wednesday, the United Nations called on Israel to "immediately and unconditionally" release the two men, saying they were being held without charge.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising dozens of vessels, set sail from Barcelona in April and expanded during a stop in Italy to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel's longstanding blockade of the territory.

Israel said the flotilla was intercepted to enforce what it described as a lawful naval blockade on Gaza. The operation drew condemnation from several countries, which described the interception as an "assault."