Canadian Activist Nimâ Machouf Set to Land in Montreal Sunday

UPDATE: Canadian activist and doctor Nimâ Machouf is set to arrive in Montreal this Sunday after being detained by Israeli forces during a humanitarian flotilla. Her husband, Amir Khadir, confirmed she will land at Montreal Trudeau International Airport around 5:30 p.m. local time.

The epidemiologist was aboard the vessel The Conscience, which attempted to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip before being intercepted by Israeli military forces earlier this week. Khadir expressed mixed emotions, stating, “We are very proud of her… but the misery of the Palestinian people will not end just because Nimâ came back.”

After being deported from Israel to Istanbul, Turkey, Machouf’s return highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where a famine has been declared by UN-backed agencies since August. Reports from the flotilla indicate that detainees, including Machouf, faced harsh treatment. Khadir recounted, “They were ill treated, (treated with) violence, and dragged by their hair.”

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has denied allegations of mistreatment. According to Khadir, detainees were forced to kneel on the ground for hours and some were denied essential medications.

The military interception involved a flotilla of nine boats, with a total of 145 activists taken to shore for processing and deportation. This incident follows the detention of nearly 450 activists last week, including prominent figures like climate activist Greta Thunberg.

In addition to Machouf, other Canadians were part of the mission. Indigenous rights activist Mskwaasin Agnew is expected to arrive in Toronto on Saturday at approximately 4 p.m.. Khurram Musti Khan from Milton, Ontario, is also due to land in Toronto on Sunday evening.

However, not all activists have been released. Newfoundlanders Sadie Mees, Nikita Stapleton, and Devoney Ellis remain detained in Israel but are anticipated to be deported to Jordan on Sunday.

This developing story sheds light on the dangers faced by humanitarian activists in conflict zones and underscores the urgency of the situation in Gaza. As the world watches, the impact of this mission and its repercussions continue to unfold.

Stay tuned for further updates on Machouf’s arrival and the ongoing situation in the region.