Portland Man Returns Home After Dramatic Gaza Aid Mission Intercepted by Israeli Forces

PORTLAND, Ore. — A Portland man is returning home after joining a flotilla of vessels that traveled to Gaza to deliver aid to Palestinian residents, creating worldwide public condemnation.

Paul Reid joined the Global Samud Flotilla of about 50 vessels that sailed across the Mediterranean in late August. At the beginning of this month, Israeli forces intercepted the aid mission, detaining about 450 international activists.

Israeli police officers arrived at the port of Ashdod to interview the activists who had been detained by the Israeli naval forces.

Reid documented his journey on social media, and on September 23, reported that the flotilla was under attack by drones after sailing off the coast of Greece. Several of the boats were shot at with non-lethal flash-bangs.

His family members were watching live stream cameras as the flotilla sailed through international waters near Gaza on October 1, and watched as Israeli naval vessels circled the boats.