Albany, NY (News10) — Today marks two years since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, launching a war that has since ravaged Gaza.
Two brothers detained by Israeli forces while trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza were released this morning. Sheffield natives Adnaan and Tor Stumo were among the nearly 500 volunteers who had boarded a flotilla of 44 donated boats packed with food and medical supplies, leaving from Spain to the war-torn region. Their mother, Nadia Milleron, had joined them in Barcelona to help pack the ships before they took off.
“They were trying to open a humanitarian corridor,” Milleron said. “My children decided to make an attempt because they have maritime certifications…they have quite a bit of experience working on the ocean as professionals, and so they had something to contribute.”
She said they didn’t make it very far before Israel started deterring the mission, spraying them with water cannons and skunk spray, before eventually intercepting them.
“They took the people against their will to Israel. So, they had no intention of going there at all. They didn’t charge them with any crimes,” she shared.
Her sons spent six days in jail. She said Tor was punished for refusing to surrender his passport.
“They considered him a problem and kept beating him up during the time he was there,” she said.
The brothers are currently at a hotel in Amman, Jordan, recovering and eating after going on hunger strike while imprisoned.
Nadia hasn’t been able to directly speak with her sons, but saw a video showing them getting off the van that took the prisoners to Jordan, and was able to get confirmation from a U.S. consul that they were there. She has a message for her sons:
“I love you so much and I’m glad you’re safe…but don’t do this again.”
She went on to share a message for everyone else.
“It’s October 7, a very sad day…I want peace. Nobody should be killing each other. Most people want live peacefully,” she said adding she hopes for “equal right for humans on the land.”
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