A Canadian First Nations woman is among those detained by Israeli forces after they intercepted a flotilla of humanitarian ships bringing aid to Gaza, APTN News reports.
Salt River First Nation member Mskwaasin Agnew is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) aboard a ship called the Conscience.
The flotilla attempted to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza using several ships sailing the Mediterranean to bring much-needed aid to the area.
The long-running Israeli campaign against the Palestinians, which saw over 230 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank alone in the first nine months of 2023, escalated drastically after Hamas launched rocket strikes and incursions from Gaza on October 7 that year, killing several hundred people including many civilians.
Israeli politicians and generals vowed a total blockade on Gaza, blocking water, food, medicine and power while conducting strikes that have killed many, with estimates ranging from 65,000 to well over half a million dead, mostly civilians.
A flotilla spokesperson said that early Wednesday morning local time, Ms Agnew's ship was one of nine intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. The said a total of 145 non-violent activists from 30 different countries were taken to Israel against their will and are currently being detained, APTN News reported.
Some of the activists have since been released. It has not been independently verified that Ms Agnew is still in custody, but there has been no indication she has been released.
APTN News contacted the Israeli embassy in Ottawa for comment and received no response.
Ms Agnew posted on social media while at sea days before the interception, saying she is acting out of Indigenous solidarity to the Palestinian people, who are experiencing a genocide by Israel, according to a United Nations commission and many experts.
"Every day the Palestinian people live through unspeakable horror and tragedy," Ms Agnew in the post.
"We are a crew of medics and journalists. We are unarmed. We only bring medical aid, humanitarian aid, and our consciousness.
"This is a call to say that we will not leave you alone, Gaza. We will never leave you behind. We're coming for you."
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the flotilla's attempt to bring aid to Gaza "futile", confirming the aid vessels and passengers have been brought to Israel and - as of October 9 - were "expected to be deported promptly".
Many Palestinians have been shot and killed by Israeli forces and private security contractors at supposed aid collection points, raising grave concerns about efforts to get aid into Gaza via the "official channels".
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is urging all parties involved in the US-backed Gaza peace plan to follow through.
Hamas has agreed to the plan, which involves a ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza, and the release of some of the many Palestinian hostages held in Israel's detention centres.
"The next 48 hours are crucial," Mr Carney told reporters Thursday morning on Parliament Hill, ahead of a cabinet meeting.
"We're encouraged, but it's the first phase and there's more to come."
With the Canadian Press
