Two human rights activists detained from the Gaza-bound 'Global Sumud Flotilla' were allegedly subjected to severe physical abuse by Israeli forces, according to Palestinian rights group Adalah. Lawyer Lubna Tuma told Al Jazeera that the Israeli navy intercepted the flotilla in international waters last week and took Brazilian activist Thiago Avila and Palestinian-origin activist Saif Abu Keshek into custody. While other members were released in Greek waters, these two were transferred to Israel and detained.

Tuma reported that the detainees were blindfolded, forced to lie face down with their foreheads pressed to the ground, and repeatedly beaten and verbally abused. Avila reportedly lost consciousness twice due to the intensity of the assault. Tuma met the activists for the first time since their detention on Saturday, when they described the violence they endured.

According to Tuma, the treatment inflicted on the two activists constitutes torture under international law. The allegations were reported by Al Jazeera, citing Adalah’s account of the incident.