Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan and nine other countries have jointly condemned Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, calling the action a violation of international law and demanding the immediate release of detained activists.
In a statement released on Tuesday and shared by Pakistan’s Foreign Office on X, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, and Spain strongly criticized Israel’s recent actions against the civilian-led humanitarian mission.
The statement said the flotilla was a peaceful initiative aimed at drawing global attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It expressed serious concern over repeated interceptions of aid convoys in international waters, describing such actions as unlawful and a breach of international humanitarian law.
The ministers also condemned the detention of activists on board the vessels, urging Israel to ensure their safety, dignity, and immediate release. They stressed that targeting civilian humanitarian missions undermines freedom of navigation and reflects a disregard for international legal norms.
The joint statement further called on the international community to take responsibility for protecting humanitarian operations and ensuring accountability for violations, warning against continued impunity.
Read More: Dar Confirms Release of Ex-Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Detained by Israel During Gaza Flotilla Mission
Among those detained was Saad Edhi, son of Pakistani social worker Faisal Edhi and grandson of renowned humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi, alongside activists from several countries, including journalists and public figures. Indonesian media reported that multiple Indonesian nationals were also among those held.
Organizers said the flotilla had attempted multiple voyages to deliver aid to Gaza, but previous missions were also intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters.
Israel has defended the interceptions, saying it would not allow any breach of its naval blockade on Gaza, which has been in place since 2007.
Read More: After Italy and Spain, Turkiye Steps Up for Safety of Gaza Flotilla with Three Drones
Israeli authorities say the blockade is intended to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas, while critics argue it has contributed to severe shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies in Gaza, particularly during the ongoing conflict.
The latest diplomatic push by multiple countries reflects growing international concern over the humanitarian situation and renewed calls for unrestricted aid access to the territory.
