Islamabad, The Government of Pakistan strongly condemns the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israel. The flotilla, comprising more than 40 civilian vessels and carrying around 500 international activists, was on a peaceful mission to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza.

The unlawful detention of international activists onboard the flotilla constitutes yet another flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law by Israel and poses a grave threat to the lives of innocent civilians.

This reprehensible act is part of Israel’s ongoing pattern of aggression and its illegal blockade of Gaza, which has inflicted immense human suffering and deprivation on over two million Palestinians. The deliberate obstruction of humanitarian relief is a serious breach of Israel’s obligations as the occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Pakistan calls for:

An immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire across all Occupied Palestinian Territories;

Lifting of the illegal blockade of Gaza;

Unhindered access and provision of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people;

Immediate release of all humanitarian workers and activists detained from the flotilla;

Full compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law;

Accountability for Israel’s repeated violations of international law.

Pakistan reaffirms its steadfast support and solidarity with the Palestinian people in their just struggle for self-determination and for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.