Saad Edhi Among Activists Detained After Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza Aid Flotilla

Saad Edhi, son of renowned social worker Faisal Edhi, was reportedly detained by Israeli forces on Monday alongside other members of the Global Sumud Flotilla after multiple aid boats were intercepted in the eastern Mediterranean.

Organisers of the flotilla stated that Israeli forces intercepted at least 10 vessels while communication was lost with 23 boats operating in the area.

Earlier in the day, Israel’s foreign ministry posted on X that it “will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza”.

In a video shared on Edhi’s official Facebook page, Faisal Edhi said the flotilla was intercepted near Cyprus at around 1pm, adding that Saad Edhi was among those arrested.

He urged Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene following his son’s detention.

“They were arrested in international waters and Israeli forces have no right to do so. Israel has arrested them illegally and their whereabouts are unknown,” Faisal said.

He explained that Saad, a Pakistani citizen, was participating in the humanitarian mission to support civilians affected by the war in Gaza. According to him, nearly 500 individuals from various countries were part of the flotilla carrying food and medical supplies.

“Now they have been arrested, we don’t know anything about their whereabouts,” he said, adding that their phones had also been confiscated.

Faisal further appealed to Pakistan’s foreign ministry to act swiftly and coordinate with the United Nations and the wider international community against what he described as “illegal and inhuman conduct by Israeli forces” and to stop the “genocide in Gaza.”

Prior to the interception, Saad Edhi had released a video statement from aboard the flotilla.

“I am Saad Edhi, a Pakistani citizen. If you are watching this video, it means that I have been intercepted or am being intercepted,” he said.

He described the mission as a “non-violent humanitarian aid mission” for Gaza.

“We are bringing aid to Gaza peacefully. There has been a genocide in Gaza for the past eight decades. That’s why we want to end this illegal blockade and siege,” he stated.

He also said: “We are going to Gaza, and if we are arrested by Israeli Occupation Forces or the Israeli Defence Forces, it is the responsibility of the Pakistani government to coordinate and make efforts to ensure my release.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla had departed from southern Turkey on Thursday in its third attempt to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza after earlier missions were similarly intercepted in international waters.

Live footage reportedly showed military vessels approaching the aid boats before the interception.

“Military vessels are currently intercepting our fleet and (Israeli) forces are boarding the first of our boats in broad daylight,” the organisation posted on X.

“We demand safe passage for our legal, non-violent humanitarian mission.”

The flotilla group said around two dozen Turkish nationals were onboard the intercepted vessels, which were located approximately 250 nautical miles from Gaza. Overall, 426 participants from 39 countries were reportedly involved in the mission.

Israel’s foreign ministry also urged “all participants in this provocation to change course and turn back immediately”.

A previous flotilla departed from Spain on April 12 but was intercepted by Israeli forces, with over 100 pro-Palestinian activists taken to Crete while two others were detained in Israel.

In October last year, Israeli authorities also halted another flotilla organised by the same group, arresting Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and more than 450 participants.

Palestinians, aid agencies, Turkey and several other countries have continued to argue that humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza remains inadequate despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October that included commitments to increase aid deliveries.

Much of Gaza’s population of over two million people has been displaced, with many now sheltering in damaged buildings, temporary tents and open areas amid widespread destruction.

Israel, which controls access into Gaza, denies restricting aid. Its foreign ministry claimed that more than 1.58 million tons of humanitarian assistance and thousands of tons of medical supplies have entered Gaza since October 2025.