Saad Edhi receives hero's welcome in Karachi after release from Israeli detention

KARACHI: Humanitarian worker Saad Edhi returned to Pakistan on Saturday after being detained by Israeli forces during the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters earlier this week.

Saad arrived at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport after being deported from Israel to Turkiye on Friday alongside other international activists who had been aboard the humanitarian convoy.

A large number of supporters, volunteers and family members gathered at the airport to welcome him home. Footage from the scene showed emotional supporters showering him with flower petals, placing floral garlands around his neck and chanting slogans as he emerged from the arrival lounge.

Many well-wishers embraced Saad and expressed relief over his safe return following days of uncertainty surrounding the flotilla’s interception.

Israeli forces had detained Saad on Monday along with nearly 100 activists after intercepting at least 10 boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla in the eastern Mediterranean.

The flotilla had departed from Turkiye last week as part of a humanitarian mission aimed at delivering aid to Gaza and challenging Israel’s longstanding blockade on the Palestinian territory.

A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Saad had safely reached Istanbul following what he described as “concerted efforts” by Pakistani authorities.

Dar also thanked the Turkish government for facilitating Saad’s safe passage and strongly condemned Israel’s treatment of humanitarian workers, calling it “deeply condemnable and totally unacceptable.” He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office had earlier condemned Israel’s interception of the flotilla in international waters, describing the action as unlawful and confirming that Saad Edhi was among those detained.

Reports of Saad’s detention first emerged after his father, Faisal Edhi, released a video statement on the official social media platforms of the Edhi Foundation.

In the video, Faisal appealed to Pakistan’s Foreign Office to intervene after learning that Israeli forces had intercepted the aid convoy near Cyprus and detained its members, including his son.

Before the interception, Saad himself had released a recorded message from aboard the flotilla.

“I am Saad Edhi, a Pakistani citizen. If you are watching this video, it means that I have been intercepted or am being intercepted,” he had said, describing the voyage as a peaceful humanitarian mission intended to deliver aid to Gaza.

Earlier this week, Pakistan joined nine other countries in issuing a joint statement condemning Israel’s interception of the flotilla. The statement was signed by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkiye, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives and Spain.

Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since 2007 and controls all entry points into the Palestinian territory. The ongoing conflict has resulted in severe shortages of food, medicine and other essential supplies for civilians in Gaza, with humanitarian organisations repeatedly warning of worsening conditions in the enclave.