KARACHI: The humanitarian worker Saad Edhi returned to Karachi after being detained by Israeli forces during the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters earlier this week.
In this regard, Saad Edhi arrived at Jinnah International Airport after being deported from Israel to Turkiye on Friday along with other international activists who were part of the humanitarian mission.
The flotilla had set sail from Turkiye with the stated aim of delivering humanitarian assistance to Gaza and highlighting the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.
The volunteers and family members gathered at the airport to welcome him home. The emotional scenes were witnessed as supporters showered flower petals on him and placed floral garlands around his neck while chanting slogans and expressing relief over his safe return.
In this sense, Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in the eastern Mediterranean on Monday. So far, around 100 activists travelling on at least 10 boats were reportedly detained during the operation.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed a day earlier that Saad Edhi had safely arrived in Istanbul following diplomatic efforts by Pakistani authorities.
He also thanked the Turkish government for facilitating the activist’s safe passage.
Meanwhile, the foreign minister strongly criticised the treatment of humanitarian workers, calling the interception and detention “deeply condemnable and totally unacceptable”.
He reasserted Pakistan’s continued support for the Palestinian people and stressed the importance of humanitarian access to Gaza.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office had earlier condemned the interception of the flotilla in international waters and confirmed that Saad Edhi was among those detained. The incident also drew international attention, with Pakistan joining nine other countries in issuing a joint statement condemning the Israeli action.
Reports regarding Saad Edhi’s detention first emerged after his father, Faisal Edhi, released a video message stating that the aid flotilla had been intercepted near Cyprus. He had appealed to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene for the safe release of his son and other activists.
Before the interception, Saad Edhi released a video message describing the voyage as a peaceful and non-violent humanitarian mission for the people of Gaza, where severe shortages of food, medicine and essential supplies continue amid the ongoing conflict and blockade.
