Islamabad: Former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who is leading Pakistan’s delegation on the Global Sumud Flotilla, has been detained by Israeli forces after they intercepted the humanitarian mission attempting to breach the Gaza blockade, Dawn reported citing the Pakistan Palestine Forum.

The flotilla, comprising nearly 45 vessels and over 500 activists and politicians from around the world, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, had set sail from Spain last month to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been devastated by Israel’s prolonged military offensive and blockade.

Interception in international waters

According to the flotilla organisers, Israeli naval forces intercepted and boarded several of its ships — including the Alma, Sirius and Adara — on Wednesday evening in international waters around 8:30 pm Gaza time (1730 GMT).

The Pakistan Palestine Forum confirmed that Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was detained during the operation. It added that another Pakistani delegate, Syed Uzair Nizami, was aboard the observer boat — the only vessel that managed to escape — and shared details of the interception.

The Israeli foreign ministry later confirmed the interception, stating that passengers from several flotilla vessels were being transferred to an Israeli port. “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” the ministry wrote in a post on X, attempting to downplay concerns about the activists’ treatment.

Global condemnation of Israeli action

The interception has drawn sharp criticism from several governments. Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that Colombia will expel all remaining Israeli diplomats, calling the action illegal.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister described the naval operation as “an act of terrorism that constitutes the most serious violation of international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians.”

Spain and Italy, which had earlier sent naval escorts for the flotilla after it was targeted with stun grenades and irritants in international waters off Greece, urged the activists to halt their mission before entering Israel’s declared exclusion zone off Gaza. However, flotilla organisers rejected the appeal, describing it as an attempt to “sabotage” their humanitarian initiative.

Pakistan’s role and concerns

Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, a well-known political leader in Pakistan, has been vocal about Palestine’s plight. His detention is expected to spark diplomatic concern in Islamabad, where pro-Palestinian advocacy enjoys widespread support across party lines.

The Pakistan Palestine Forum, which coordinated his participation, said the detention underscored the risks faced by international activists attempting to deliver aid to Gaza amid the humanitarian crisis.

Humanitarian mission under threat

The Global Sumud Flotilla was carrying food, medicine, and essential supplies aimed at addressing acute shortages in Gaza, where international aid agencies have repeatedly warned of starvation and medical collapse due to the blockade and ongoing conflict.

Activists aboard the flotilla accused Israel of committing a grave breach of international law by “illegally boarding civilian humanitarian vessels in international waters.”

Conclusion

The detention of Pakistan’s Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has added a new diplomatic dimension to the international backlash against Israel’s interception of the flotilla. With global criticism mounting and several countries, including Colombia and Turkey, denouncing the move, the incident is likely to deepen international divisions over the Gaza conflict. For Pakistan, the capture of one of its senior political figures may escalate calls for stronger diplomatic action in solidarity with Palestine.