Saad Edhi, son of prominent humanitarian Faisal Edhi, was reportedly detained by Israeli forces while participating in an international aid mission bound for Gaza, according to multiple media reports on Monday.
Saad Edhi was among more than 500 activists and aid workers from different countries taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which departed from Marmaris, Türkiye, carrying humanitarian supplies intended for Palestinians in Gaza.
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The mission, organised with support from humanitarian groups including the Edhi Foundation, aimed to deliver relief assistance amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.
Reports said Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla before it could reach Gaza, detaining several participants, including Saad Edhi. Details regarding the number of detainees and their legal status were not immediately clear.
Before his detention, Saad Edhi reportedly released an emergency video message showing what appeared to be Israeli forces approaching the vessel during the operation.
The incident comes amid growing international criticism of Israel’s restrictions and blockade measures around Gaza. Aid groups and rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns over humanitarian access to the territory, where shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies have worsened conditions for civilians.
This is not the first such incident involving Gaza-bound aid missions. Earlier this month, Israeli authorities also intercepted another flotilla linked to the same campaign, leading to the detention of activists from several countries.
That earlier interception drew criticism from Pakistan and multiple other countries, which described the detention of humanitarian workers in international waters as a violation of international and humanitarian law.
Former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was also among those detained during the previous flotilla mission before later being released and transferred to Türkiye.
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Neither Israeli authorities nor the Edhi Foundation had issued a detailed official statement at the time of reporting regarding Saad Edhi’s condition or possible release arrangements.
The latest detention is likely to trigger renewed diplomatic concern and calls for humanitarian access to Gaza. International rights groups have urged restraint and the protection of civilian aid missions.