Two Canadian activists who joined a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces have returned home, describing their time in detention as “horrific” and deeply dehumanizing.
Khurram Musti Khan of Milton, Ontario, and Mskwaasin Agnew of Toronto were part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s Conscience vessel, which set sail with the aim of breaking Israel’s naval blockade and delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. The boat was intercepted in international waters on October 8, just 15 minutes after encountering Israeli forces. The activists described the scale of the operation as overwhelming—two helicopters, several naval vessels, a plane, and drones descended on their boat. “It was a major operation,” said Khan, 51. “I don’t know what made Israel conduct a major operation on a civilian mission like ours.”
The two Canadians, along with 143 other activists from around the world, were taken into custody after the interception. For more than 15 hours, flotilla members were held on board under armed guard before being transported to a high-security Israeli prison. Agnew, a 32-year-old Cree and Dene member of the Salt River First Nation and an Indigenous rights advocate, said they were packed into tight spaces, denied bathroom access, and subjected to aggressive treatment. “They were there to dehumanize us,” she recalled.
Inside the prison, the accounts grew darker. Both Khan and Agnew described seeing activists zip-tied, blindfolded, physically assaulted, and intimidated with dogs. Agnew said soldiers banged shields against cell doors, creating an atmosphere of constant fear. “We were prepared for it, but it was pretty horrific,” she said, noting that the experience gave her a glimpse into what Palestinians face daily. Israeli officials have denied allegations of mistreatment, calling them “brazen lies,” but the activists stand by their testimony.
Khan said he was zip-tied, blindfolded, and had his head repeatedly forced down. He began a hunger strike during his detention. Both activists had undergone extensive training before joining the flotilla, fully aware of the risks. Since 2010, every flotilla attempting to break the blockade has been intercepted or attacked, with 10 activists killed during a raid that year. “People have died on this mission before. So that’s something that’s in the back of your mind,” Agnew said.
After several days in custody, Khan and Agnew were deported to Turkey and eventually made their way back to Canada. They arrived to emotional welcomes at Toronto Pearson International Airport, where supporters embraced them as they recounted their ordeal. “The real heroes are the Palestinians,” Khan said, adding that he had left his will with his wife before departing. “I was prepared for all of this.”
Agnew said returning home has been bittersweet. “It takes a while to fully come home after something like that. I’m still trying to call my spirit back,” she said. But neither expressed regret. “It was my honour to be there,” Agnew added.