Nutley Resident Seized While Trying To Bring Aid To Gaza With Flotilla, Later Released (UPDATED)

This article was updated on May 21

NUTLEY, NJ — Advocates in New Jersey say a Nutley man who was detained by Israeli military forces while trying to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza has been released.

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Amrou Ibrahim, a Nutley resident and U.S. citizen, was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which had several of its boats intercepted Monday in the eastern Mediterranean on their way to Gaza, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) reported.

Activists said the supplies they were carrying included baby formula, medicines and health items, along with ambulances, vehicles and mobile homes – all intended for the more than two million people who have reportedly been displaced in Gaza.

Israel, ⁠which controls ​ access to the Gaza Strip, accused the humanitarian aid flotilla of being “only about publicity.” The Isreal Foreign Ministry reported that more than 1.58 million metric tons of humanitarian aid and thousands of tons of medical supplies have entered Gaza since October 2025.

“Israel will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza,” the country’s foreign ministry stated Monday. “Israel calls on all participants in this provocation to change course and turn back immediately.”

Activists have countered that Israel’s claims are part of an ongoing “propaganda campaign” that “seeks to manufacture consent to carry out war crimes.”

Ibrahim – a longtime political activist who has been active with the Palestinian rights movement in New Jersey – was among those aboard a boat that was intercepted Monday, CAIR-NJ said.

The group is demanded Ibrahim’s release.

“Nutley resident, Amrou Ibrahim, was on a humanitarian mission to Gaza when he – along with other flotilla passengers – were abducted by Israeli authorities on international waters,” CAIR-NJ public affairs director Naureen Akhter said.

“We call on our federal representatives to find out where he is being held, ensure he is treated humanely, and to advocate for his release,” Akhter said.

On Thursday, CAIR-NJ announced that Ibrahim has been released and is in Turkey receiving medical treatment.

Amrou's mother, Aiat Ibrahim, shared the following statement in the wake of the international incident:

"After speaking with my son today, I was relieved to learn that he is safe following his release alongside fellow activists from the Freedom Flotilla of Steadfastness and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. While I am deeply grateful for his release, I am devastated by the account he shared of the treatment he endured during his detention in Israel.

"My son described being subjected to physical beatings and severe physical and psychological humiliation—experiences whose full impact cannot truly be captured in words. During his detention, his prescription glasses and shoes were confiscated, leaving him unable to see properly and forcing him to leave occupied Palestine barefoot.

"As a parent, it is heartbreaking to know that my child was deprived not only of his dignity and safety, but also of basic necessities. The image of him departing in prison clothing, without shoes and without the ability to see clearly, is one that will remain with me forever.

"The only measure of comfort I have at this moment is knowing that he is now in Istanbul, where he and the other released activists are reportedly receiving the medical attention and care they urgently need.

"I call on the international community, human rights organizations, and all governments committed to justice and human dignity to investigate the treatment of these activists and to ensure accountability for the abuses they endured while in detention.

"No parent should ever have to hear such accounts from their child. No human being should be subjected to such treatment."

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