Sumud flotilla continues to sail despite Israeli attack, protests worldwide

Doha, Islamabad, Occupied Jerusalem: The Israeli army attacked the Global Sumud flotilla carrying aid to Gaza and arrested 200 people, including Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg and former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmed.

A spokesperson for the Global Sumud flotilla said that Israeli forces have detained more than 200 people from 37 countries in the flotilla, including 30 participants from Spain, 22 from Italy, 21 from Turkey, and 12 from Malaysia.

He stated that despite the arrests, the group’s mission continues, and the ships are still sailing through the Mediterranean to break the siege on Gaza. We have about 30 ships that are still trying to reach the Gaza coast while avoiding the military ships of the occupying forces.

Earlier, according to a report by Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera, live footage from the Alma, a ship of the Global Sumud Flotilla, showed members of the flotilla sitting waiting for intervention, with human rights activists on the Alma wearing life jackets.

Former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed arrested

The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of more than 40 civilian boats, was carrying medicine and food to Gaza, with about 500 members of parliament, lawyers, and activists on board. Former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan was leading the Pakistani delegation in the Global Sumud Flotilla when he was detained by Israeli forces while boarding the ship.

Earlier, the group had said that only one ship managed to escape, namely the observation ship, whose responsibility was to collect information and return. One of our delegates, Syed Uzair Nizami, was on board the observation ship and reported the Israeli action on Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan’s ship.

Protests around the world

On the other hand, protests have started around the world against Israel’s attack on the Global Sumud flotilla and the arrests of human rights activists. In Spain, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and other countries, a large number of people also took to the streets and staged sit-ins.

This protest has been launched at the appeal of the Global Sumud flotilla. A large number of citizens protested in front of the Israeli embassy in Istanbul and chanted slogans against Israel.

Protesters in the German capital, Berlin, closed the main train station to protest against the flotilla being stopped.

A call for a protest has been issued outside the National Press Club in Islamabad, the federal capital, at 2:00pm. This call has been given by the Pak-Palestine Forum, which says that it is time to leave the house.

Earlier, Israel raided the Global Sumud flotilla carrying aid to Gaza. 20 Israeli boats surrounded the flotilla consisting of more than 40 boats, and fired water cannons at several boats.

According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Among those detained is well-known Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg.

According to Israeli authorities, all the arrested activists will be deported after reaching Israel.

Israel will be held accountable: Malaysia

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also called Israel's move illegal and inhumane, saying that his country would take steps to hold Israel accountable by every legal and legitimate means, especially to protect its citizens.

Attack is terrorism: Turkey

The Turkish Foreign Ministry described the Israeli attack on the flotilla as an act of terrorism. The flotilla organizers described the Israeli attack as a war crime, saying that the military used aggressive tactics, including water cannons, but no one was harmed.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris wrote on X that the reports received were very worrying, that this is a peaceful mission shedding light on a horrific human catastrophe.

The international human rights organization Amnesty International has called for the protection of the Global Resistance Flotilla.

Break the siege with warships: Francesca

UN Special Representative Francesca Albanese has questioned why countries around the world are not trying to break the Israeli military naval blockade on Gaza, while Israel is being accused of creating a situation like genocide and famine against civilians.

She said that if citizens of the world traveling in small and poorly equipped boats can reach a distance of about 60 nautical miles near Gaza, then why can't countries with modern and powerful navies take steps to break the siege?