By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Foreign ministers from Pakistan and 15 other nations on Tuesday called for the protection of a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla, expressing concerns over potential Israeli attacks on the vessels as they approach the blockaded Palestinian enclave.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying activists from over 40 countries, departed from Tunisia’s port of Bizerte on Sunday, according to organizers. The convoy aims to break Israel’s siege of Gaza and deliver critical aid, despite delays caused by attacks on two flotilla vessels last week.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, and Türkiye voiced alarm over the flotilla’s security. The civil society initiative includes citizens from their nations and seeks to deliver humanitarian aid, raise awareness of Gaza’s urgent needs, and push for an end to Israel’s war, which has killed nearly 65,000 Palestinians since October 2023, according to local health authorities.
“We call on all parties to refrain from unlawful or violent acts against the flotilla and to respect international law and humanitarian law,” the statement, issued by Pakistan’s foreign office, said. It warned that violations, including attacks on vessels in international waters or illegal detentions, would lead to accountability.
The flotilla, comprising over 100 vessels converging in the Mediterranean, unites four regional alliances: Sumud Nusantara (Asia), Sumud Maghrib (Africa), Global March to Gaza (Middle East), and Freedom Flotilla Coalition (Europe).
The flotilla will gather near Malta before sailing together toward the Israeli-blockaded territory, organizers said.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail from ports in Tunisia, Italy, Greece, and Libya, aims to deliver humanitarian supplies and challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, the International Committee to Break the Israeli Siege of Gaza said in a statement. The committee did not specify a date for the rendezvous.
The ships are carrying relief supplies, medicines, baby formula, and hundreds of activists from over 40 countries, including Arab parliamentarians, doctors, and community leaders from North Africa, as well as participants from Türkiye and Malaysia, the statement said.
“This flotilla, given its unprecedented size and diversity, is expected to represent a turning point in efforts to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza,” the committee added.
The convoy, described as the largest of its kind, seeks to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza, where famine conditions have emerged amid Israel’s closure of all crossings. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 65,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since October 2023, according to local health authorities. The bombardment has devastated the enclave, causing widespread starvation and disease.
Among the participants are former Pakistani Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, who arrived in Tunisia last month, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, and US actress Susan Sarandon, who departed from Barcelona, vowing to challenge Gaza’s “illegal siege.”
Khan told a private broadcaster that Israeli drones were monitoring the convoy, with two vessels already damaged in a drone strike. “We will not be intimidated and will proceed to Gaza with relief supplies,” he said.
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