FM Dar confirms release of Saad Edhi, flotilla activists from Israeli detention

• Lauds Türkiye for ensuring safe return of detained activists, describing mistreatment of humanitarian workers as unacceptable

• Reiterates Pakistan’s continued support for the Palestinian people

• FO condemns arbitrary detention and reported mistreatment of humanitarian workers including Pakistani citizen

 ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday confirmed the release of Saad Edhi, along with other humanitarian workers detained by Israeli security forces after the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

On Monday, Israeli forces detained Saad along with other volunteers after intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid, including medicine and food, for victims in Gaza.

“It gives me a great pleasure to announce that as a result of our concerted efforts, Saad Edhi, who was aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, has been released after being illegally detained by Israeli occupation forces,” FM Dar said in a post on X.

It gives me a great pleasure to announce that as a result of our concerted efforts, Mr. Saad Edhi, who was aboard Global Sumud Flotilla, has been released after being illegally detained by Israeli occupation forces. He along with other detained humanitarian workers have safely…

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 21, 2026

He added that other detained humanitarian workers had also been released and had safely arrived in Istanbul, while thanking the Turkish authorities for facilitating their return.

“Alhamdulillah, I once again convey my heartfelt gratitude to the government of Türkiye for ensuring his safe return to Istanbul,” he said.

Condemning the detention, the deputy prime minister described the treatment of humanitarian workers as unacceptable and reiterated Pakistan’s continued support for the Palestinian people.

“Pakistan has been and will continue to provide unequivocal support to our Palestinian brothers and sisters, Insha Allah,” he said.

Edhi Foundation Chairman Faisal Edhi earlier said that his son’s last contact was with his mother during the Global Sumud Flotilla mission, adding that he had informed her it would be his final call.

Speaking on a programme 'Centre Stage', Faisal said Saad had told his mother during the call that he would not be able to make contact again thereafter.

“He told his mother that this is my last call, Israeli forces have abducted us, and after this I will not be able to contact you again,” he said.

He added that all individuals aboard the flotilla were volunteers and that the aid, including food and medicine, had been collected through donations.

Faisal further said that medical teams in Gaza were reportedly being forced to carry out surgeries without anaesthesia.

He also alleged that women and young people were subjected to violence during the incident and said Israeli forces had long maintained what he described as a “fascist attitude”.

Referring to the situation in Gaza, he said the territory had been under siege for months, with more than 1.9 million people reportedly trapped and limited information emerging from the area.

FO strongly condemns ‘unlawful interception’ of Global Sumud Flotilla

Earlier in the day, the Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday strongly condemned the “unlawful interception” of the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israeli forces in international waters, expressing concern over reported mistreatment of humanitarian workers onboard and demanding the immediate release of all detained activists, including Pakistani humanitarian Saad Edhi.

In a statement, the FO said Pakistan condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the interception of the civilian aid flotilla by Israeli occupying forces, as well as the “arbitrary detention and reported mistreatment” of humanitarian workers participating in the mission.

🔊PR No.1️⃣2️⃣4️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣

Pakistan condemns illegal detention and mistreatment ofhumanitarian activists onboard Global Sumud Flotilla

🔗⬇️https://t.co/wHi8ltaUmD… pic.twitter.com/SxtkYjRE0U

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 21, 2026

The statement confirmed that those detained reportedly include Pakistani activist Saad Edhi, grandson of renowned philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, and called for his immediate release along with all other detained volunteers.

“Pakistan demands the immediate release of all illegally detained activists,” the FO said, adding that the international community must ensure the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of those detained.

It further said Pakistan remains in contact with its diplomatic missions in the region regarding the situation and is working to ensure the safe return of any Pakistani nationals involved.

According to flotilla organisers, Israeli forces intercepted 39 of the 54 vessels in the eastern Mediterranean, while remaining boats continued their journey toward Gaza. Reports said the flotilla comprised 426 participants from 39 countries, including 44 Turkish nationals, and was intercepted roughly 250 nautical miles (463 km) from Gaza.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail from southern Türkiye, had previously attempted to deliver aid to Gaza, with earlier missions also intercepted in international waters.

Turkiye planning special flights to bring back activists

Turkiye was planning special flights from Israel to fly out its citizens and some activists from third countries who joined a global aid flotilla that was intercepted by Israeli forces while trying to break the Gaza blockade, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.

Fidan said on X that all Turkish institutions were working to ensure the security and safe return of Turkish nationals.

Küresel Sumud Filosu’na gerçekleştirilen hukuka aykırı müdahale sonucunda alıkonulan vatandaşlarımızın güvenliğini ve ülkemize sağ salim dönüşlerini sağlamak için ilgili tüm kurumlarımızla birlikte çalışıyoruz.

Bugün düzenleyeceğimiz özel uçak seferleriyle vatandaşlarımızı ve…

— Hakan Fidan (@HakanFidan) May 21, 2026

Broadcaster NTV separately said Turkish Airlines has sent three planes to Israel for the repatriations.

Gaza flotilla activists who were detained by Israel and later pinned to the ground to the taunts of Israel's far-right police minister were released from prison and would be deported to Turkiye today, officials said.

The activists were arrested at a port in southern Israel after the Israeli navy intercepted their protest flotilla in international waters. Their treatment by police officers under Itamar Ben-Gvir's direction drew an international outcry and a rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Ben-Gvir and at least one other minister in Netanyahu's government, transport chief Miri Regev, posted campaign-style videos of themselves visiting the port and lambasting the protesters, attention-grabbing antics ahead of potential early elections in Israel.

Flotilla organisers said they aimed to break Israel's blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian assistance, something aid bodies say is still in short supply despite a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in place since October 2025 that includes guarantees of increased aid.

 The flotilla departed from southern Turkiye this week before being intercepted on Wednesday. Past flotillas, including one carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were also intercepted by Israel, with participants later deported.

In a statement, Israeli rights group Adalah said the estimated 430 activists had been released from prison in southern Israel and would be deported via the Ramon airport near Eilat on the Red Sea.

Spain's foreign minister said its diplomats in Israel had been informed that some 44 Spanish flotilla members would depart from Israel at 3pm local time (1200 GMT).

Taunting of activists comes ahead of Israeli election

Ben-Gvir's video showed officers forcing an activist to the ground after she chanted "Free, free Palestine".

The video also shows dozens of detained activists kneeling in rows with their hands zip-tied behind their backs, in what appears to ⁠be an outdoor Israeli port facility. In the background, soldiers armed with long guns can be seen patrolling the area from aboard a military vessel.

During Israel's two-year intensified military assault in Gaza since October 2023, Israeli troops frequently lined up detained Palestinians on the ground, with their hands bound.

"Look at them now. See how they look now, not heroes and not anything," Ben-Gvir says in the video as he walks by the activists while carrying a large Israeli flag.

Posting her own video at Ashdod port, transport chief Miri Regev, a member of Netanyahu's political party, said: "This is what should be ⁠done to supporters of terror who came to break the siege on Gaza."

Netanyahu, who leads the most right-wing government in Israel's history, said Ben-Gvir's conduct was "not in line with Israel's values and norms". US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said he "betrayed the dignity of his nation".

Ben-Gvir's political base includes some of Israel's most nationalist voters, a bloc that Netanyahu's Likud party has in the past tried to woo ahead of national elections, the next of which is due by October 27.

This week, Israel moved closer to a snap election after lawmakers gave an initial nod to dissolve parliament, with opinion polls showing Netanyahu would lose the first national vote since the 2023 Hamas attacks.

International outcry with Israeli envoys summoned

The detention and taunting of the activists led France, Canada, Spain, Portugal and the ⁠Netherlands to ​summon top Israeli diplomats in their countries.

Canada and Spain are among the countries that have imposed sanctions on ​Ben-Gvir and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, citing allegations that they incited violence against Palestinians.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that whatever one thinks of the flotilla, "our compatriots who are participating in it must be treated ​with respect and released as quickly as possible."