By Daniel Opasinis and Jerry Zhang

Update: Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FCC) announced the release of Mskwaasin Agnew, along with two other Canadian detainees from the Israeli military, on Oct. 10. According to the FCC, the group has arrived in Turkey and will soon be heading back to Canada.*

Yellowhead Institute and Toronto Metropolitan University community member Mskwaasin Agnew has been detained with five other Canadians by Israeli forces off the coast of Gaza, today.

The crew was facilitating a transfer of humanitarian aid to the region as part of The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) 

FFC said in a press release that “all the Freedom Flotilla and Thousand Madleen boats were pirated in the early hours of October 8, 2025.” 

Videos of passengers from multiple boats were released as well, stating that they have been abducted during their attempt to deliver aid amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza. 

Agnew was aboard ‘Conscience’—one of nine vessels—that was intercepted along with ships carrying nationals from Italy, France, Tunisia and Jordan, among others.

The interception reportedly began at 4:34 a.m. Palestine Standard Time and lasted until 5:35 a.m., according to a later press release from FFC. 

FFC said in the press release Conscience was the last ship boarded and seized by an Israeli military helicopter. The interception took place in international waters, about 120 nautical miles from Gaza. 

Vessels and passengers were transferred to an Israeli port and are expected to be deported after the seizure. 

The Israeli Foreign Ministry posted on X, claiming the flotilla was attempting “to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone.” 

The ministry claimed all passengers were “safe and in good health,” and are expected to be deported promptly.

The FFC called the seizure “illegal” and a violation of international law. 
Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction—an organization which Agnew is a part of—has organized a rally for Oct. 8 at 3 p.m.

This is a developing story and this article will be updated as new details arise.

*This article has been updated on Oct. 11 with new information regarding the situation.