An Israeli court has upheld the detention of eight pro-Palestine activists arrested by the Israeli navy aboard the Madleen ship, which was en route to Gaza.

The vessel, operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, is registered in the United Kingdom and was carrying a total of 11 activists and one journalist, including the well-known Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg, who sought to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians amid ongoing conflict.

Thunberg was released on Tuesday following interventions from various European governments but the remaining eight activists continue to be held at the Ramla detention center.

Their nationalities include individuals from Turkiye, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Brazil, specifically: Suayb Ordu (Turkiye), Mark van Rins (Netherlands), Pascal Moreras, Riva Fiard, Rima Hassan (a member of the European Parliament), Yanis Mohammadi (France), Tiago Ovila (Brazil), and Yasmin Ajar (Germany).

According to the Haifa-based Adalah legal center, the court's decision was grounded in the assertion of the activists' 'illegal entry into Israel'.

Adalah contended that none of the Madleen’s occupants intended to enter Israeli territory, as their aim was to travel from Sicily through international waters to reach Gaza, which is recognized by international law as part of the state of Palestine.

The Israeli navy intercepted the Madleen early on Tuesday morning, transporting the activists to Israel for detention.

In response to the detention, the court has scheduled a hearing for July 8 to reassess the legal status of the activists, contingent on whether the authorities have decided to deport them by that date.

Upon her release, Thunberg stated, 'I was very clear in my testimony that we were kidnapped on international waters and brought against our own will into Israel', highlighting her view on the legality of the interception.

She further characterized the incident as part of broader violations of rights occurring in the region.