By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has condemned in the strongest possible terms the unlawful interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israeli occupying forces in international waters, as well as the arbitrary detention and reported mistreatment of humanitarian workers onboard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

Among those detained is Pakistani humanitarian activist Mr. Saad Edhi, according to an official statement issued by the Office of the Spokesperson.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying 428 people from 44 countries, was intercepted Monday by Israeli forces while sailing in international waters toward the Gaza Strip. The convoy had departed from Marmaris, Turkey, in an attempt to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza — a siege that has been in place since 2007 and is widely regarded as illegal under international law.

In its statement, Pakistan demanded the immediate release of all illegally detained activists and called on the international community to ensure the safety, dignity, and fundamental rights of those held.

“The Government of Pakistan condemns 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 statement read.

The foreign ministry noted that those detained reportedly include Saad Edhi, a Pakistani humanitarian activist. Edhi, a member of Pakistan’s renowned Edhi family known for decades of philanthropic work, was volunteering with the aid mission.

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

The condemnation follows a wave of international outrage sparked by a video posted by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which showed him taunting detained activists who were zip-tied and forced to kneel. Eleven countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, have summoned Israeli envoys to protest the incident.

Pakistan reiterated its longstanding position that Israel’s blockade of Gaza violates international humanitarian law and called for unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.

The government urged the international community to take immediate action to secure the release of all detained activists and hold accountable those responsible for what it termed a brazen violation of international law.