A representative from an organization aiming to defy the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza for humanitarian purposes announced the release of two Canadian individuals detained by Israel in the Mediterranean Sea. The Global Sumud Flotilla identified the Canadians as Marie Tota and Umir Tiar. Tota hails from Ontario and works as a nurse, while Tiar is a student from Quebec City, according to Safa Chebbi, the spokesperson for Global Sumud Canada.
Chebbi reported that both Canadians were undergoing medical assessments in a hospital as communicated by the group’s coordinator in Greece. These individuals were part of a secondary Global Sumud flotilla launched recently to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza by providing aid. The expedition commenced from the Spanish port of Barcelona on April 12.
Another Canadian, Luiza Noura, was rescued by Greenpeace and the Spanish NGO Open Arms after her vessel was destroyed, leaving her stranded at sea. Chebbi mentioned that Tota, Tiar, and Noura were among nearly 180 activists whose ships were intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters, far from Gaza.
Israel has reportedly released all activists except for two individuals, a Spanish-Swedish citizen of Palestinian descent and a Brazilian citizen, who were detained for questioning. In a social media video following her release, Tiar described the harsh conditions onboard, including intentional flooding of floors and arbitrary isolation of some detainees.
A statement from Tota, released by Global Sumud Canada, detailed the physical and psychological mistreatment she endured while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. While the Israeli authorities have not responded directly to the activists’ allegations, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that the activists were removed from the flotilla vessels unharmed.
