Pakistani delegation to sail to Gaza with aid flotilla representing 40 countries

A Pakistani delegation will join the Global Summud Flotilla, a coalition of aid vessels from 40 countries, set to sail to Gaza in September to break the Israeli blockade and deliver humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. The delegation will include activists, doctors, and social workers representing Pakistan.

The mission is scheduled to launch on August 30 from Spain, while aid boats from several countries, including Pakistan, will join the flotilla on September 4 before the group sets sail toward Gaza.

Activists have been campaigning online to raise financial contributions and encourage participation in the mission. Organisers say this is the largest flotilla ever assembled to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave.

Pakistan’s participation in the Global Summud Flotilla was officially announced on August 15 during a press conference. The Pakistani delegation includes, Dr Osama Riaz, activist Ismail Khan, and Islamic scholar Syed Uzair Nizami.

Organisers and international activists, including Greta Thunberg, Thio Yasemin Acar, and Thiago Avila, have also urged people worldwide to support Gaza by joining the mission or raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis.

On July 26, Israeli naval forces intercepted the Handala, a humanitarian aid ship headed for Gaza, approximately 70 nautical miles from its intended destination and deported the activists. 

On June 9, Israeli forces intercepted another aid ship, Madleen, off the coast of Gaza in international waters. Twelve international activists on board were detained and later deported, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan. They were released on the condition that they not return.

On May 2, the MV Conscience, a ship carrying aid to Gaza as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was attacked by drones in international waters near Malta. The strike caused a fire and structural damage to the vessel.