Pakistan slams Israeli forces attack on Gaza aid flotilla

PM Shehbaz Sharif demands immediate release of all those detained by Jewish troops: Israel to deport Gaza flotilla activists to Europe

Published: 08:35 AM, 2 Oct, 2025
Pakistan
Pakistan slams Israeli forces attack on Gaza aid flotilla
Caption: Videograb shows a view of the boats of the flotilla aiming at breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.–AFP

Pakistan has strongly condemned the dastardly attack by Israeli forces on the Sumud Gaza flotilla, carrying over 450 humanitarian workers from 44 countries on a mission to take humanitarian aid to Gaza, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Israeli forces have raided the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was one of the biggest naval aid missions to war-battered Gaza. The forces cut communications and jammed signals as the flotilla carrying more than 40 civilian boats approached the blockaded Gaza.

In a post uploaded on his X timeline on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “This barbarity must end. Peace must be given a chance and humanitarian aid must reach those in need.”

Shehbaz Sharif expressed the hope and prayed for the safety of all those who have been illegally apprehended by Israeli forces and called for their immediate release. “Their crime was to carry aid for the hapless Palestinian people,” he added.

Ishaq Dar demands lifting of Gaza blockade

In a post on X, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar strongly condemned 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 blockade, swift release of activists and unhindered aid to Gaza. Pakistan reaffirms its 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,” he added.


Foreign Office calls for Israel’s accountability

Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israel, comprising over 40 civilian vessels and carrying about 500 international activists on a mission to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza. 

“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,” Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement released in Islamabad.

He said that the reprehensible act was part of Israel’s ongoing pattern of aggression and its illegal blockade of Gaza, which had caused immense human suffering and deprivation for over two million Palestinians.

He said that the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian relief was 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,” the spokesperson added.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s 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.

Israeli forces storm aid flotilla, detain activists

A flotilla carrying aid to Gaza said dozens of its ships were still "sailing strong" towards the war-battered Palestinian territory on Thursday despite an interception by Israeli naval forces.

The Global Sumud Flotilla -- involving around 45 vessels carrying politicians and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg -- left Spain last month, aiming to break Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory, where the United Nations says famine has set in.

The Israeli navy intercepted the flotilla on Wednesday after warning it against entering waters it says fall under its blockade, with Thunberg's ship among those stopped from going further.

But the flotilla said most of its vessels were continuing their journey as of early Thursday morning, nearing the coast of the Gaza strip despite the interruptions.

"30 boats still sailing strong on their way to Gaza, just 46 nautical miles away, despite the incessant aggressions from the Israeli occupation navy," the flotilla posted on X with a time stamp of 3:20 am local time (0020 GMT).

Flotilla spokesman Saif Abukeshek said Israeli forces had intercepted 13 boats carrying around 200 people in total, including many from Spain and Italy.

But, he said in a video posted on Instagram, "our mission is going on".

"They are determined. They are motivated, and they are doing everything within their hands to be able to break the siege by this early morning," he said of the remaining vessels.

The interceptions occurred at about 8:30 pm on Wednesday, the flotilla said, describing the move as "illegal" as they were traversing international waters.

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

The Israeli foreign ministry posted on X that "several vessels of the... flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port".

It posted footage of the 22-year-old Thunberg retrieving her belongings, adding: "Greta and her friends are safe and healthy."

Hamas, whose October 7, 2023 attack on Israel sparked the war in Gaza, condemned the interception of the flotilla "in international waters" as "crime of piracy and maritime terrorism".

Spain and Italy, which both sent naval escorts, had urged the ships to halt before entering Israel's declared exclusion zone off Gaza, saying their frigates would not pass that mark.

After a 10-day stop in Tunisia, where organisers reported two drone attacks, the flotilla resumed its journey on September 15.

One of its main ships, the Alma, was "aggressively circled by an Israeli warship", the group said, before another vessel, the Sirius, was subjected to "similar harassing manoeuvres".

-'International law violation'-

The flotilla had earlier vowed to press on with its bid to deliver aid to the devastated coastal territory despite what it called "intimidation" tactics by the Israeli military.

It said on X it remained "vigilant as we enter the area where the previous flotillas were intercepted and/or attacked".

In Italy, which has already seen a general strike in support of the flotilla, hundreds turned out late on Wednesday in Rome in its support.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Naples blocked trains at the southern Italian city's main station for around an hour before being cleared by police.

Unions have called for another strike on Friday to urge stronger action from the government against Israel's actions.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he will expel all remaining Israeli diplomats in the country over the interception.

Turkey's foreign minister called it "an act of terrorism that constitutes the most serious violation of international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians".

Israel blocked similar attempts in June and July.

-'Stop now'-

Spain's digital transformation minister, Oscar Lopez, had urged the flotilla not to cross into Israel's declared exclusion zone, extending 150 nautical miles off Gaza.

Italy, too, urged the activists to "stop now" after its frigate halted at the that limit.

The activists said Spain and Italy's decision was an attempt to "sabotage" their endeavours.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the activists posed no threat and urged Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu not to consider them one either.

And Italy's Giorgia Meloni said the voyage could jeopardise US President Donald Trump's latest proposed Gaza peace plan, currently still under negotiation.

Israel to deport Gaza flotilla activists to Europe

Israel said on Thursday it will deport to Europe pro-Palestinian activists on an aid flotilla headed towards Gaza as the Israeli navy intercepted vessel after vessel in the Mediterranean.

The Global Sumud Flotilla of around 45 vessels began its voyage to Gaza last month, with politicians and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg aiming to break Israel's siege of the Palestinian territory, where the United Nations says famine has set in.

The Israeli navy began intercepting vessels on Wednesday after warning the activists against entering waters it says fall under its blockade, with Thunberg's ship among those stopped from going further.

By Thursday, of the roughly 45 ships, more than 30 had been intercepted or were assumed to have been intercepted, according to the flotilla's tracking system.

"Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin. The passengers are safe and in good health," the foreign ministry said on X, posting photos of Thunberg and other activists aboard a boat.

Flotilla spokesman Saif Abukeshek said the vessels that had not been intercepted were determined to continue.

"They are determined. They are motivated, and they are doing everything within their hands to be able to break the siege by this early morning," he said.

In a statement, the flotilla organisers branded the interceptions as "illegal" since they were traversing international waters.

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

- 'Piracy' -

Israel's foreign ministry said the intercepted activists were being transferred to an Israeli port.

It posted footage of the 22-year-old Thunberg retrieving her belongings, adding: "Greta and her friends are safe and healthy."

Hamas, whose October 7, 2023 attack on Israel sparked the war in Gaza, condemned the interception of the flotilla as a "crime of piracy and maritime terrorism".

Reporter Anwer Abbas/Agencies

Categories : Pakistan Tags :

News Desk