Forces have launched a maritime operation against the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian convoy carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, and have reportedly detained former Pakistani Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan along with several other participants.
According to a statement by the Pakistan Palestine Forum posted on X (formerly Twitter), Senator Mushtaq was taken into custody by Israeli naval forces after the flotilla entered international waters off the coast of Gaza.
Observation ship escapes interception
The Pakistan Palestine Forum reported that only one vessel, carrying observers and media personnel assigned to document the mission, managed to evade Israeli forces. According to the group, Syed Uzair Nazami, a representative of the forum, was aboard that observation ship and was able to confirm the interception of Senator Mushtaq s boat.
Planned protests in Pakistan
In response to the detentions, the Pakistan Palestine Forum has announced nationwide protests, with demonstrations planned outside the National Press Club in Islamabad and the Lahore Press Club. The group is calling for the immediate release of all detained flotilla participants, including Mushtaq Ahmed Khan.
Background on the Flotilla
The Global Sumud Flotilla comprises over 40 civilian boats and more than 500 participants from various countries, united in a mission to break the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave.
As the flotilla approached the region, Israeli naval vessels reportedly surrounded several boats and forcibly boarded them. According to Israeli media, the military is even considering sinking some of the intercepted vessels — a claim that has drawn international concern.
International response and rising tensions
The flotilla had earlier announced that its vessels had entered a “high-risk zone” approximately 150 nautical miles (278 kilometers) from the Gaza coast — an area where Israel has previously intercepted or attacked aid convoys.
Governments in Spain, Italy, and Greece have formally urged Israel to exercise restraint and ensure the safety of the flotilla participants.
The interception has added to growing global criticism of Israel’s continued blockade of Gaza and its treatment of humanitarian missions, particularly amid the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Strip.
Greta Thunberg also reportedly detained
In a related development, Israeli authorities have confirmed the detention of Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and her companions, who were also part of the flotilla. They have reportedly been transferred to an Israeli port for processing.
Ongoing crisis and gobal solidarity
The Global Sumud Flotilla describes its mission as a peaceful, civilian-led effort to draw international attention to the plight of Palestinians in Gaza and demand an end to the Israeli blockade. The blockade, in place since 2007, has been widely criticized by human rights organizations and international bodies as a form of collective punishment.
Also Read: Israeli forces intercept Global Sumud Flotilla en route to Gaza
As tensions escalate at sea, activists, human rights groups, and governments around the world continue to monitor the situation closely, urging diplomacy and the protection of civilians.
