- Foreign Office terms detention of activists flagrant violation of int’l law, part of Israel’s ongoing pattern of aggression
- PM Shehbaz praises Pakistani volunteers, urges their immediate release and safe return
- Reaffirms support for Palestine, calling for lifting of Gaza blockade and uninterrupted aid flow
- Former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan among Pakistani delegation detained by Israeli forces
- Protests announced in Pakistan by Jamaat-i-Islami; global rallies erupt in Italy, Greece, Turkiye, and Colombia
- World leaders from Malaysia, Turkiye, South Africa, Spain, Brazil, UK and Colombia condemn interception
- Colombia expels Israeli diplomats, scraps trade pact; Spain summons Israeli envoy over flotilla attack
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned what it called Israel’s “dastardly attack” on the Global Samud Flotilla (GSF), after Israeli forces intercepted the humanitarian convoy attempting to break the siege of Gaza and deliver aid. Islamabad termed the detention of hundreds of international activists on board a “flagrant violation of international law and humanitarian principles,” with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif leading calls for the “safe return” of all those captured, including Pakistanis.
In a strong-worded statement, the Foreign Office described “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.”
“This reprehensible act is part of Israel’s ongoing pattern of aggression and its illegal blockade of Gaza, which has caused immense human suffering and deprivation for over two million Palestinians,” the FO said.
Hours after Israeli move sparked global condemnation and outcry, Tel Aviv’s foreign ministry posted on X that all on board the flotilla were safe would be “deported to Europe”.
The statement said: “The Hamas-Samud provocation is over. None of the Hamas-Samud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade.
“All the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe.”
It added that one last vessel of “this provocation remains at a distance. If it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented”.
Earlier, the flotilla said that Israeli forces began intercepting the flotilla’s latest bid to reach Gaza late Wednesday night. Israel intercepted 39 boats with foreign activists on board to Gaza, leaving only one vessel still sailing towards the Palestinian enclave, the flotilla organisers said.
The 45-vessel flotilla, with activists and politicians including Greta Thunberg on board, left Spain last month to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, where the United Nations has warned of famine. Former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was also on board.
The flotilla, carrying over 450 humanitarian workers and activists from 44 countries, had set sail in a bid to defy Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Among those detained was former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who was heading the Pakistani delegation, alongside several other nationals.
Pakistan’s Strong Response
The Foreign Office (FO) issued a strongly worded statement condemning the attack and calling the interception a deliberate attempt to obstruct humanitarian relief. The FO added: “This reprehensible act is part of Israel’s ongoing pattern of aggression and its illegal blockade of Gaza, which has caused immense human suffering and deprivation for over two million Palestinians.”
🔊PR No.2️⃣9️⃣5️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣
Pakistan Strongly Condemns Interception of Global Sumud Flotilla by Israel🔗⬇️https://t.co/Pfar8bbtjl pic.twitter.com/EMEBPtEAAo
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 2, 2025
The FO demanded the “immediate release of all humanitarian workers and activists”, urging Israel to respect international law and calling on the world community to hold Tel Aviv accountable for “repeated violations.”
Reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause, the FO said:
“Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support and solidarity with the Palestinian people in their just struggle for the realisation 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.”
Prime Minister’s Call for Safe Return
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the “dignified participation” of Pakistani nationals in the flotilla and demanded their safe and immediate return. In posts on X, he listed names of citizens aboard, including Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, Mazhar Saeed Shah, Wajahat Ahmed, Dr. Osama Riaz, Ismail Khan, Syed Aziz Nizami, and Fahad Ishtiaq, among others.
میں “صمود غزہ فلوٹیلا” میں پاکستان کے شہریوں کی باوقار شرکت کو سراہتا ہوں۔ مشتاق احمد خان صاحب، مظہر سعید شاہ صاحب، وہاج احمد صاحب، ڈاکٹر اسامہ ریاض صاحب، اسماعیل خان صاحب، سید عزیز نظامی صاحب، اور فہد اشتیاق صاحب سمیت دیگر پاکستانیوں نے انسانی ہمدردی کے اصولوں کے عین مطابق اس… https://t.co/n6b22ZDmxj
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 2, 2025
“This initiative represents the peace-loving aspirations of the Pakistani people, their struggle for justice, and their spirit of helping those in need,” he wrote.
The premier stressed that Pakistan stood firmly behind principles of human compassion, safe access, and uninterrupted humanitarian aid, and “strongly demands the return of its citizens while praying and striving for their safety, dignity, and swift return to the homeland.”
In another post, he termed the incident a “dastardly attack by Israeli forces on the 40-vessel Samud Gaza flotilla”, adding:
“We hope and pray for the safety of all those who have been illegally apprehended and call for their immediate release.”
President and Ministers Join Condemnation
President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the assault, describing it as a “serious violation of human rights and international laws.” He paid tribute to the bravery of Pakistani citizens onboard and urged the global community to ensure the “uninterrupted supply of aid to Gaza.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar denounced Israel’s move as a “flagrant violation of international law,” demanding a ceasefire, lifting of the blockade, and release of the activists.
“Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s interception of the Global Samud Flotilla … We demand an immediate ceasefire, lifting of the blockade, swift release of activists, and unhindered aid to Gaza,” he said on X.
Pakistan strongly condemns 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.…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) October 2, 2025
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar prayed for the “safe return of all those aboard the flotilla,” while Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani branded the interception as “state terrorism and barbaric savagery,” stressing that the world must not remain silent.
Interception at Sea
Flotilla organisers reported that Israeli forces began intercepting late Wednesday night, targeting 39 boats carrying foreign activists, leaving only one vessel — an observer ship — still sailing toward Gaza.
Cameras broadcasting live feeds showed Israeli soldiers in helmets and night vision goggles boarding vessels, while passengers huddled in life vests with hands raised. Among those detained was climate activist Greta Thunberg, one of the flotilla’s most high-profile participants.
Israel’s foreign ministry later announced on X that all detainees were “safe and in good health” and would be deported to Europe. It dismissed the mission as a “Hamas-Samud provocation”, adding:
“None of the yachts succeeded in entering an active combat zone or breaching the lawful naval blockade … One last vessel remains at a distance; if it approaches, it will also be prevented.”
Pakistani Delegation Targeted
The Pak-Palestine Forum confirmed that former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan had been arrested. Another delegate, Syed Uzair Nizami, aboard the observer boat, relayed information of the raid.
Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced a nationwide protest in solidarity with Gaza, while PTI’s former senator Faisal Javed Khan also condemned the aggression, calling for Khan’s immediate release.
Global Outcry
The incident sparked severe worldwide condemnation.
Malaysia: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed he had spoken directly with Qatari, Turkish, and Egyptian leaders to secure the release of eight detained Malaysians, calling the interception “utter contempt for humanity.”
Turkiye: Launched an investigation into the detention of 24 Turkish citizens, calling the act “terror at sea.”
South Africa: Demanded the release of all activists, including Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela.
Colombia: President Gustavo Petro expelled Israel’s diplomatic delegation and scrapped a free trade agreement, branding the detentions a “new international crime.”
Spain: Summoned Israel’s top diplomat after confirming 65 Spaniards were onboard.
Brazil: Condemned Israel’s “military aggression,” warning Tel Aviv it would be held responsible for the safety of Brazilian nationals, including a sitting lawmaker.
United Kingdom: Expressed “deep concern,” urging that aid be delivered safely through humanitarian agencies.
Protests also erupted in Italy, Ireland, Greece, Turkiye, and Colombia, with Italian unions even calling a general strike in solidarity.
The Flotilla and Its Mission
The Global Samud Flotilla, launched from Spain, carried aid supplies including food, medicines, and relief material intended for Gaza’s besieged population. Organisers had vowed to continue despite repeated Israeli warnings.
The flotilla was part of a broader international civil society effort to challenge Israel’s blockade, which human rights groups have long decried as collective punishment of civilians. Similar flotillas in past years have also been intercepted, often with violent outcomes.
According to organisers, one vessel — Mikeno — managed to enter Gaza’s territorial waters before contact was lost.
Growing Diplomatic Fallout
The latest confrontation adds to Israel’s growing international isolation as images and videos of the raid spread globally. Critics argue that intercepting a humanitarian mission in international waters exposes Israel to charges of piracy and violations of the UN Charter.
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the move as a violation of Palestinian sovereignty, stressing that Israel had “no authority over Gaza’s territorial waters.”
The State of Palestine condemns Israel’s attack and aggression against the Global Sumud Flotilla, in violation of international law and norms, including Convention on the Law of the Sea, other humanitarian principles, and the human rights of the participants on board.
The State… pic.twitter.com/V3OqWfo9zt
— State of Palestine – MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) October 2, 2025
The interception of the Global Samud Flotilla has reignited global outrage against Israel’s blockade of Gaza and put renewed focus on the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the enclave. With activists from 44 countries, including Pakistan, now detained, the episode has escalated into a major diplomatic crisis.
For Pakistan, whose leaders from the president and prime minister to parliamentarians have spoken in unison, the demand is clear: safe and immediate return of its citizens, accountability for Israel, and urgent global action to end Gaza’s suffering.
