Saad Edhi freed alongside flotilla activists

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday confirmed the release of humanitarian worker Saad Edhi, following Israel’s announcement that it has deported all foreign activists detained during its interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters earlier this week.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Mr Saad — grandson of late philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi — had arrived safely in Istanbul along with other activists following what he described as “concerted efforts” by the authorities.

Dar also thanked the Turkish government for facilitating Saad’s return and ensuring his safe passage to Istanbul. He described Israel’s treatment of humanitarian workers as “deeply condemnable and totally unacceptable” and reiterated Pakistan’s “unequivocal support” for the Palestinian people.

Israeli forces intercepted around 50 vessels carrying nearly 430 participants on Monday as part of a flotilla attempting to challenge the naval blockade on Gaza.

However, the release of a video by Israeli minister Ben-Gvir that showed the detained activists being humiliated and assaulted turned opinion against Tel Aviv, forcing it to release nearly all detained activists.

The returning activists narrated how Israeli forces brutally assaulted detainees.

Belgian activist Julien Cabral said commandos brutally punched them, tightly bound their hands with plastic restraints and pressed their necks down for hours inside cramped prison vans.

The activists were slapped, insulted and denied medical treatment despite visible injuries. Cabral claimed passengers aboard one vessel collectively suffered dozens of fractures.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2026