By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday praised his country’s “dignified participation” in an aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces en route to Gaza, as Islamabad condemned the move and demanded the safe return of its nationals aboard.
Israeli troops boarded the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla in the early hours, detaining foreign activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and former senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, according to footage and statements from participants.
The Israeli foreign ministry said passengers were being transferred to an Israeli port. Cameras broadcasting live feeds from the boats showed Israeli soldiers sporting helmets and night vision goggles boarding the ships, while passengers huddled together in life vests with their hands up.
Pakistan’s foreign office strongly condemned the interception of the flotilla, which aimed to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid, as protests erupted in Italy and Colombia over the Israeli action. Demonstrations were also called in Greece, Ireland and Turkiye, while Italian unions announced a general strike for Friday.
“I commend the dignified participation of Pakistani citizens in the ‘Sumud Gaza Flotilla,'” Sharif said in a social media post, naming the nationals who joined the journey. “This initiative represents the peace-loving aspirations of the Pakistani people, their struggle for justice, and their spirit of helping those in need,” he added. “The Government of Pakistan supports the principles of respect for human life, safe access and uninterrupted aid, and strongly calls for the return of its citizens while remaining committed and prayerful for their safety, dignity and earliest possible repatriation.”
The flotilla, which set sail in late August, was transporting medicine and food to Gaza and consisted of more than 40 civilian vessels with about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists. It marked the highest-profile symbol of opposition to Israel’s blockade of Gaza, the latest sea-borne attempt to breach the restrictions amid nearly two years of war that has killed over 65,000 Palestinians and reduced much of the enclave to a wasteland.
The flotilla’s progress across the Mediterranean had drawn international attention, with nations including Turkiye, Spain and Italy dispatching boats or drones in case their nationals required assistance.
Khan’s wife, Humaira Tayyaba, told local media that they spoke to him on Wednesday night, when he informed them that the main ship of the flotilla had been intercepted and their vessel might also face obstruction. “At 2:45 am [Pakistan time], he sent his last voice note, and since then, we have lost all contact. We do not know whether he has been arrested or if his ship is still sailing toward Gaza,” she said. “We earnestly hope and pray that his ship reaches Gaza to break the blockade as his ship Allakatalla is still available at the tracker of Global Sumud Flotilla official page. However, if he has been arrested, the government of Pakistan must work for his safe release.”
Earlier Thursday, Pakistan — which has no diplomatic relations with Israel — called for the immediate release of all humanitarian workers and activists onboard the flotilla and accountability for Israel’s repeated violations of international law. “The unlawful detention of international activists onboard the flotilla constitutes yet another flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law by Israel, and endangers the lives of innocent civilians,” the Pakistani foreign office said. “Pakistan reiterates its call for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire across all Occupied Palestinian Territories; the lifting of the illegal blockade of Gaza; unfettered access and provision of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.”
The flotilla had hoped to arrive in Gaza on Thursday morning if not intercepted. Last week, it was attacked by drones that dropped stun grenades and itching powder on the vessels, causing damage but no injuries.
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