Detained flotilla activists face longer stay after Israeli court ruling

Hadeel Abu Salih, the men's attorney, said that the two deny the allegations. Their arrest was unlawful due to a lack of jurisdiction, she told Reuters at the Ashkelon Magistrate's Court after the hearing, claiming that the mission was, "meant to provide aid to civilians in Gaza, not to any militant group."

Abu Salih also alleged that Abu Keshek and Avila were subjected to violence en route to Israel and kept handcuffed and blindfolded until Thursday morning.

Asked for comment, the Israeli military referred Reuters to the Israeli foreign ministry, which said that staff were compelled to act to stop what it described as violent physical obstruction by Abu Keshek and Avila. All measures taken were lawful, it said.

(Reporting by Rami Amichay; Writing by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Joe Bavier)