A man from Milton, Khurram Musti Khan, is set to return to Toronto on Sunday after being part of the Gaza-bound flotilla known as the Conscience.
Khan, who was on the boat that aimed to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, is arriving at Pearson International Airport from Istanbul, Turkey.
Last week, the Israeli military intercepted the flotilla consisting of nine vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. The activists on board were taken into custody, with a total of 145 activists being processed and deported in Israel post-interception. Among those detained were notable figures like European lawmakers and climate activist Greta Thunberg, totaling nearly 450 individuals from over 40 boats.
Following his deportation from Istanbul, Turkey, Khan is flying back to Toronto, while another activist and doctor, Nimâ Machouf, is expected to land in Montreal on the same evening after being on the intercepted vessel with Khan.
Meanwhile, three Newfoundlanders – Sadie Mees, Nikita Stapleton, and Devoney Ellis – remain detained in Israel. Gur Tasbar, speaking on behalf of Canadians involved in the mission, mentioned that they are anticipated to be deported to Jordan on Sunday.
On a positive note, Indigenous rights activist Mskwaasin Agnew arrived at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport a day earlier, where she was warmly welcomed by family, friends, and supporters.