Pakistani activists and aid workers, including representatives of the Edhi Foundation, have this week joined a new Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla, weeks after Israeli forces intercepted and detained participants aboard an earlier mission in international waters.
The latest Global Sumud Flotilla departed from Marmaris, Turkiye, on Wednesday night with more than 500 activists from different countries onboard, according to a statement issued by the Edhi Foundation.
“The Global Sumud Flotilla’s peaceful mission is expected to be completed within six to seven days,” the Edhi Foundation said in its statement, adding that Saad Edhi, son of the renowned late Pakistani humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi, departed aboard the flotilla after overseeing the purchase of humanitarian supplies in Turkiye over the past several days.
The aid includes ration supplies, dry food, medicines, baby formula milk and other essential items intended for civilians in Gaza, according to the statement.
The mission comes amid growing international scrutiny of Israel’s blockade of Gaza and follows the seizure earlier this month of another Global Sumud flotilla carrying humanitarian activists and aid supplies toward the Palestinian enclave.
Israel’s interception of the earlier flotilla triggered condemnation from Pakistan and 10 other countries.
“The Israeli attacks against the vessels and the unlawful detention of humanitarian activists in international waters constitute flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law,” a joint statement said.
Former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was among those detained by Israeli forces during the previous flotilla mission before later being released and transferred to Turkiye.
Israel has defended previous interceptions as part of enforcement of its naval blockade on Gaza.