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A leading Palestinian activist and negotiator at the Gaza solidarity encampmentÌý²¹³Ù Columbia University has been "abducted and detained" by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to a US-based pro-Palestinian group.

Mahmoud Khalil, an Algerian citizen of Palestinian heritage and a US green card holder, was detained by DHS agents on Saturday evening following a targeted campaign by pro-Israel activists at the university, said Writers Against the War on Gaza (WAWOG).

In a statement released on Sunday, WAWOG said DHS agents initially refused to identify themselves and threatened Khalil's eight-month-pregnant wife with detention if she stayed with her husband.

When the agents claimed that Khalil’s student visa had been revoked, his wife presented them with his green card. Despite this, one of the agents was overheard on the phone confirming Khalil’s green card status but later claimed that the State Department had "revoked that too".

During the incident, Khalil’s wife contacted his attorney, who asked the agents to provide a copy of the warrant. The agents reportedly hung up without presenting one.

Khalil is currently being held in detention with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and set to appear before an immigration judge.

"A Palestinian student and member of the community has been abducted and detained without the physical demonstration of a warrant or officially filed charges," WAWOG said in a statement.

"Like many other Arab and Muslim students, Khalil has been the target of various Zionist harassment campaigns, fueled by doxxing websites like Canary Mission. This racist targeting serves to instil fear in pro-Palestine activists as well as a warning to others," the group added.

Khalil's pro-Palestine activism had previously led Columbia University to attempt blocking his graduation following accusations of misconduct, though the university later reversed its decision after an appeal through a lawyer.

According to Drop Site News, Khalil was targeted by several pro-Israel individuals and groups in the days leading up to his detention, with calls for his deportation circulating online.

Among those calling for Khalil's deportation was Shai Davidai, a Columbia Business School professor who accused Khalil of “illegally taking over a college" and "distributing terrorist propaganda".

Davidai himself was temporarily barred from the university campus for reportedly harassing and intimidating others.

On Sunday, Columbia University issued a statement acknowledging Khalil's reported detention and clarified that law enforcement officers require a judicial warrant to enter non-public university areas, including campus buildings.

"Columbia is committed to complying with all legal obligations and supporting our student body and campus community," the university said.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced he was cancelling $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University, citing allegations of antisemitism on campus and the university’s alleged failure to prevent "illegal protests"

The Department of Education and US General Services Administration said that "these cancellations represent the first round of action and additional cancellations are expected to follow".