Nutley Man Seized While Trying To Bring Aid To Gaza With Global Flotilla

NUTLEY, NJ — Advocates in New Jersey are demanding the release of a Nutley man who was allegedly detained by Israeli military forces while trying to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.

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 now demanding 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.

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