Mediterranean: Israeli troops have arrested Pakistan’s ex-senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan and dozens of other activists after boarding aid flotilla heading for Gaza, a human rights group reported on Thursday.
The ‘Pak-Palestine Forum’ verified the detention on its official X account, describing that “Pakistani Delegation Lead, Ex-Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, has been arrested by Israeli Occupying Forces.”
The convoy of aid, the Global Sumud Flotilla, was comprised of approximately 45 boats with humanitarian aid, politicians, and global activists — including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. The flotilla left Spain last month to challenge Israel’s long-standing naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, where the United Nations has warned of an escalating humanitarian crisis and famine.
The Israeli navy intercepted multiple boats in the flotilla after warning them against sailing into waters it asserts are subject to its blockade. Thunberg’s vessel was among them stopped.
Israeli troops arrest Senator Mushtaq following Gaza flotilla attack
In spite of the interception, organizers of the flotilla reported early Thursday morning that the majority of boats were still sailing towards Gaza.
Thirty vessels still sailing strong en route to Gaza, only 46 nautical miles away, despite the continuous aggressions of the Israeli occupation navy,” the flotilla tweeted on X at 3:20 a.m. local time (0020 GMT).
Read More: PM calls for immediate release of Gaza Sumud Flotilla activists
At the same time, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Thursday that Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms the dastardly attack by Israeli forces on the 40-ship Gaza Sumud Flotilla carrying more than 450 humanitarian workers from 44 nations.
Posting on social media account X, Shehbaz Sharif urged for unconditional release of all humanitarian workers illegally detained by Israeli forces.
He stated humanitarian workers’ crime is to deliver aid to the unfortunate Palestinian people. The premier added such brutality has to stop.
He stated peace has to be given an opportunity and humanitarian assistance has to reach these needy people.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) with over 40 civilian vessels carrying around 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists, has an Italian delegation.
It has been attempting to smuggle Israel’s blockade of Gaza with medicine and food, even after being repeatedly warned to turn back.
