Pakistan 'strongly condemns' Israel for interception of Global Sumud Flotilla

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel for the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising over 40 civilian vessels and carrying about 500 international activists to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza.

In a statement issued early Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 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.

This reprehensible act is part of Israel’s ongoing pattern of aggression and its illegal blockade of Gaza. The deliberate obstruction of humanitarian relief is a grave breach of Israel’s obligations as the occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention.

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; immediate release of all humanitarian workers and activists onboard the flotilla; full respect for international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law; and accountability for Israel’s repeated violations of international law.

Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support and solidarity with the Palestinian people in their just struggle for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination and for the establishment of a viable, independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Israeli attack on the Gaza flotilla carrying humanitarian workers and pro-peace activists.

In a post on social media platform X, Sharif stated: “Pakistan strongly condemns the dastardly attack by Israeli forces on the 40 vessel Samud Gaza flotilla, carrying over 450 humanitarian workers from 44 countries.”

“This barbarity must end. Peace must be given a chance and humanitarian aid must reach those in need,” the Pakistani prime minister stated in his post.

Demanding immediate release of those detained by Israeli forces, he said, “We hope and pray for the safety of all those who have been illegally apprehended by Israeli forces and call for their immediate release. Their crime was to carry aid for the hapless Palestinian people.”

'Flagrant violation of international law'

Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, posted a statement on X earlier today condemning Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and detention of international activists in flagrant violation of international law. We demand an immediate ceasefire, lifting of the blockade, swift release of activists, and unhindered aid to Gaza.

He further reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their quest for an independent, sovereign State based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. 

Interception near Gaza border

Israeli forces arrested activists, including Greta Thunberg, on board the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip, after intercepting their boats.

Israeli naval forces had on Wednesday intercepted the flotilla, ending its latest bid to break an Israeli blockade of the war-battered Palestinian territory. The Israeli military operation was announced by both the flotilla itself and the Israeli foreign ministry, AFP reported.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, composed of nearly 50 boats and 500 activists, is carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Sirius, Alma, and Adara boats were intercepted approximately 70 nautical miles (80 miles) off the coast of Gaza, according to organizers who shared the live positions of the flotilla, as reported by AP. 

The group, which includes Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela, former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, and several European lawmakers, stated that it remained undeterred in its mission to break the Israeli blockade and deliver aid to Palestinians.

The Global Sumud Flotilla online tracker reported that over 20 of 44 boats had been intercepted, 19 assumed to be intercepted, and the remaining vessels are either sailing or require legal support as of 9:20 a.m. (GMT).

"Around 8:30 p.m. Gaza time (1730 GMT), several vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including the Alma, Sirius, and Adara, were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli occupation forces in international waters," the flotilla said.

"Beyond the confirmed interceptions, live streams and communications with several other vessels have been lost," the statement added.

Pakistan’s Senator Mushtaq onboard

Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan — who is leading the Pakistani delegation on the Global Sumud Flotilla — has been arrested by Israel after naval forces boarded the vessel.

In a collaborative post on Instagram, the last message he shared before being taken into custody was posted by the Palestine Action Coalition and the Pak Palestine Forum.

In a post on X, the Pak Palestine Forum said, “Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan arrested by Israel.” They added, “Only one ship has managed to escape, i.e., [the] observer boat, whose duty was to collect information and escape. Our second delegate Syed Uzair Nizami was sailing on the observer boat and shared the information regarding the interception of Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan’s ship."

Alert from international waters

In a statement posted online, the Global Sumud Flotilla accused Israel of illegal action in international waters. “Israeli forces have illegally boarded the flotilla’s vessel" in international waters. Communication is cut, and the status of those on board is unknown. Governments must act now to ensure their safety and release,” the group said.

‘Act of terrorism’ 

Meanwhile, Turkey's foreign affairs ministry on Wednesday accused Israel of "an act of terrorism" by intercepting an activist flotilla bound for Gaza with humanitarian aid, according to AFP.

"The attack by Israeli forces in international waters against the Global Sumud flotilla, which was on its way to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, is an act of terrorism that constitutes the most serious violation of international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians," the ministry said in a statement.

‘This is kidnapping’

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which has tried to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza itself seven times, has accused Israel of attacking the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and abducting those on board, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday.

In a statement on X, the group said: “People of conscience have been abducted. The flotilla broke no laws. What is illegal is Israel’s genocide, Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza, and Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon.”

The coalition described the incident as “piracy” and “kidnapping”, saying: “Unarmed people of conscience, abducted in international waters. This is piracy. This is kidnapping. The flotilla did not break any laws.

“What is unlawful is: genocide, the deadly blockade of Gaza, the use of starvation as a weapon of war, and the piracy of civilian vessels and abduction of all those on board.”

‘Flagrant breach of international law’

Jeremy Corbyn has condemned Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, calling it “a flagrant breach of international law”.

In a statement posted on X, the Independent MP said: “Israel has illegally intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla. This disgraceful assault is a flagrant breach of international law.

"It is an affront to our common human decency. And it is a further denigration of the Palestinian people, who are being starved to death by Israel."

'Safely stopped'

The Israeli Foreign Ministry posted a video on X showing Thunberg sitting on a ship's deck being handed a water bottle and a raincoat.

It said that several boats “have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.”

Activists onboard

Greg Stoker, an American veteran aboard the Ohwayla, one of the boats in the flotilla, said that around a dozen naval vessels with their transponders off had approached it. “They are currently hailing our vessels, telling us to turn off our engines and await further instructions or our boats will be seized and we will face the consequences," he said in a shaky video posted on Instagram. Israeli authorities used water cannons against some of the boats, Stoker and other activists reported on social media.

Statements by Italy, Turkey, Colombia 

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the Israeli operation was expected to take 2-3 hours. He told state TV Rai that the boats would be towed to Israel’s port of Ashdod and the activists would be deported in the coming days. He also said Israeli forces have been told “not to use violence, AP reported.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s interception of the boats, denouncing it as an “act of terrorism” and a severe breach of international law. In a statement, the ministry said it was taking initiatives to ensure the immediate release of Turkish citizens and other passengers detained by the Israeli forces.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said late Wednesday he would expel Israel’s diplomatic delegation in the South American country if the Israeli military intercepted the flotilla. He said he will also terminate his country’s free trade agreement with Israel, AP reported..

Petro has repeatedly described Israel’s siege of Gaza as genocide. He broke diplomatic ties with Israel in May 2024 over the Israel-Hamas war, prompting the departure of Ambassador Gali Dagan, but an unspecified number of consular services staff remain in Colombia.