Global Sumud Flotilla vessels were intercepted and taken into custody by Israeli Navy in international waters near Crete late Wednesday, after a large-scale operation left multiple boats disabled and out of contact.
According to the flotilla, Israeli forces boarded several ships, damaged engines, and destroyed navigation systems before withdrawing, leaving vessels stranded at sea as severe weather approached. The group said communications were jammed, cutting off contact with at least 11 ships carrying hundreds of civilians.
Among those detained was Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, a member of the Pakistani delegation, who was reportedly taken into custody in international waters.
In a statement issued Thursday, the flotilla accused Israeli forces of deliberately abandoning incapacitated vessels, calling the incident a dangerous escalation. It added that disrupted communications prevented coordination or distress signalling amid worsening sea conditions.
Meanwhile, Israel Defence Forces-linked Army Radio confirmed that naval units had seized seven vessels near Crete, with the operation beginning late Wednesday night.
The incident drew strong international reaction, with Türkiye condemning the move as “an act of piracy.” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares, urging a unified global response against what was described as unlawful intervention.
Earlier accounts from the flotilla claimed Israeli speedboats had surrounded the ships, with armed personnel using lasers and semi-automatic weapons while ordering participants to kneel at the front of the vessels.
It is important to mention here that Senator Mushtaq was among the political figures and international activists detained last year when Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy that had set sail from Spain aiming to deliver symbolic aid to Gaza and protest the ongoing naval blockade.
The former JI’s senator safe arrival followed dedicated diplomatic efforts led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The former Senator was released from Israeli custody and was first transferred to the care of the Pakistani Embassy in Amman, Jordan.
He subsequently departed for Pakistan, arriving in Islamabad from Oman on a flight where he was met by supporters.
The Foreign Office confirmed the safe return, noting that DPM Dar had personally contacted Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ayman al-Safadi to express gratitude for Amman’s assistance in facilitating the transit.
