Pakistan condemns Israel’s interception of aid flotilla in international waters

The government of Pakistan on Thursday condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the unlawful interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israeli occupying forces in the international waters as well as arbitrary detention and reported mistreatment of humanitarian workers onboard.

The Foreign Office stated this in a press release, adding that those detained also reportedly include Pakistani humanitarian activist Saad Edhi.

“Pakistan demands the immediate release of all illegally detained activists. It also calls on the international community to ensure safety, dignity, and fundamental rights of those detained,” FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains in close contact with Pakistani diplomatic missions in the region to ensure the safe return of any detained Pakistani nationals, he maintained.

The statement comes days after Israeli military detained Saad, son of prominent Pakistani philanthropist Faisal Edhi, and dozens of others who were part of Global Sumud Flotilla consisting of 500 volunteers from several countries carrying aid for Palestinians of Gaza.

In a video message released just before Saad was arrested by the Israeli military, it can be seen that Israeli soldiers were attacking the volunteers.

Saad along with more than 500 workers from different countries of the world, which comprise the Global Samad Flotilla, set off from Marmaris, Turkiye for Gaza. The Global Samad Flotilla and the Edhi Foundation aimed to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza.

The flotilla was attempting to transport humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza when the incident occurred.

The mission came amid growing international scrutiny of Israel’s blockade of Gaza and follows the seizure earlier this month of another Global Sumud flotilla carrying humanitarian activists and aid supplies toward the Palestinian enclave.

Israel’s interception of the previous flotilla had also triggered condemnation from Pakistan and 10 other countries.

“The Israeli attacks against the vessels and the unlawful detention of humanitarian activists in international waters constitute flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law,” a joint statement said.

Former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was among those detained by Israeli forces during the previous flotilla mission before later being released and transferred to Turkiye.