A metro Detroit attorney who has helped lead multiple humanitarian flotillas bound for Gaza says she was abused and detained by Israeli forces after the ships were intercepted on October 8.
Huwaida Arraf, a human rights lawyer long involved in pro-Palestinian activism, says she was zip-tied, beaten, and held for five days before being deported. She describes her experience as minor compared with the suffering of people inside Gaza, where shortages of food, water, and medicine persist amid leveled city blocks and decimated infrastructure.
Arraf spoke with Robyn Vincent on The Metro about the incident and her decision to keep leading these missions meant to draw attention to Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
The Israeli war in Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, has killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians and over 1,200 Israelis. The latest flotilla voyage took place just before Israel and Hamas entered a fragile ceasefire agreement on Oct. 10. Days later, Israeli airstrikes resumed after reports of new clashes. Both Israel and Hamas have accused the other of breaking the truce.
The Israeli war in Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, has killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians and over 1,200 Israelis. The latest flotilla voyage took place just before Israel and Hamas entered a fragile ceasefire agreement on Oct. 10. Days later, Israeli airstrikes resumed after reports of new clashes. Both Israel and Hamas have accused the other of breaking the truce.
Humanitarian agencies say residents of Gaza face worsening hunger, disease, and displacement as aid convoys continue to be delayed or blocked.