Ohio University Professor Tom Hayes Returns to Columbus After Israeli Detention in Gaza
Columbus, Ohio — An Ohio University professor, who was detained by Israeli authorities while participating in a humanitarian mission to deliver food and medicine to Gaza, has safely returned to Columbus, according to local activist groups.
Tom Hayes, an associate professor at Ohio University’s School of Film, arrived at John Glenn Columbus International Airport on October 12, 2025. Hayes was among several journalists and medical professionals aboard the aid vessel “The Conscience,” which was intercepted by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on October 8 around 6 p.m. UTC, according to the Freedom Flotilla Tracker, an open-source tool monitoring humanitarian ships attempting to reach Gaza.
Following the interception, the vessel was escorted to the Israeli port city of Ashdod, where passengers were detained and questioned. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, of which Hayes is a member, is a grassroots organization that has repeatedly sought to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza, aiming to deliver food and medical assistance to Palestinians.
The Ohio University Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine confirmed that Hayes was acting as a media volunteer during the mission. The Conscience reportedly carried international journalists and medical personnel representing over 25 countries.
International organizations, including the World Health Organization, have highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies have left many civilians suffering.
Hayes has yet to release a public statement about his experience but was welcomed home by local supporters and advocacy groups who commended his commitment to humanitarian efforts and justice for Palestinians.
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