Three activists from Newfoundland are reportedly still in Israeli custody days after the interception of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla they were part of. Devoney Ellis, Sadie Mees, and Nikita Stapleton, all from Newfoundland, were on the Conscience, one of the nine vessels in the flotilla heading to Gaza. Israeli forces halted the flotilla’s progress on Wednesday, detaining numerous activists, including the trio from Newfoundland and three other Canadians.
The organizers of the flotilla condemned the detentions as “arbitrary and unlawful.” Israeli authorities stated that the detained participants were in good health and would be processed on land before deportation. While the Newfoundland activists remain detained, reports indicate that the three other Canadians, including a Montreal doctor, have been released.
Vicki Axford, Sadie Mees’s aunt, expressed that her family has limited information about the situation. Global Affairs Canada confirmed that the Canadian activists are either being deported or have already been deported. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand urged all detained Canadians to accept consular assistance for their return home.
Recent history includes a Hamas-led assault on Israel in October 2023, resulting in casualties and hostages. This event led to a military response from Israel, resulting in further casualties in Gaza. A ceasefire agreement is expected to be implemented soon, leading to the release of all remaining hostages and Palestinian prisoners.