Israeli forces detain former JI senator Mushtaq Ahmad from Gaza-bound aid ship

Pakistan condemns Israeli forces, PM demands release of volunteers

Former Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was arrested by Israeli forces, according to a statement released by the Palestine Action Coalition of Pakistan. Senator Ahmed was leading the five-member Pakistani delegation as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Jamaat-i-Islami has previously voiced support for the Flotilla, with JI Emir Hafeez Naeemur Rehman expressing solidarity with the aid ships, calling for stronger support for the Palestinian cause.

🚨 | EMERGENCY:

Pakistani Delegation lead Ex Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan has been arrested by Zionist soldiers. pic.twitter.com/Bw5xTzahHQ

— Palestine Action Coalition of Pakistan (@PalActCoalition) October 1, 2025

Israeli forces have stopped 13 boats carrying foreign activists and aid bound for Gaza, but 30 boats are continuing to sail towards the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave, flotilla organisers said on Thursday.

According to the latest update published on the Global Sumud Flotilla official X account, dozens of ships are still on course to Gaza, some less than 50 kilometers from the Gaza coast.

EMERGENCY ALERT ❗❗❗❗❗#GlobalSumudFilotilla BOAT, MALI, INTERCEPTED IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS LESS THAN 60 KILOMETERS FROM THE #GAZA COAST. ALMOST 40 SHIPS ARE STILL ON COURSE TO GAZA. SOME LESS THAN 50 KILOMETERS AWAY FROM THE COASTLINE!!!#GlobalSumudFlottilla #Gaza

— Global Sumud Flotilla ✨ (@GSMFlotilla) October 2, 2025

A video from the Israeli foreign ministry verified by Reuters showed the most prominent of the flotilla's passengers, Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, sitting on a deck surrounded by soldiers.

"Several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port," the Israeli foreign ministry said on X. "Greta and her friends are safe and healthy."

Read: 30 boats evade Israeli capture, continue sail to Gaza

Prime Miniser Shehbaz Sharif and the Foreign Office have both released statements condemning this act of agression by Israel. PM Shehbaz has demanded the volunters immediate release.

Pakistan strongly condemns the dastardly attack by Israeli forces on the 40 vessel Samud Gaza flotilla, carrying over 450 humanitarian workers from 44 countries.
We hope and pray for the safety of all those who have been illegally apprehended by Israeli forces and call for their…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 1, 2025

The Foreign Office has stated this act to be "as part of Israel's ongoing pattern of aggression and its illegal blockade of Gaza."

🔊PR No.2️⃣9️⃣5️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣
Pakistan Strongly Condemns Interception of Global Sumud Flotilla by Israel

🔗⬇️https://t.co/Pfar8bbtjl pic.twitter.com/EMEBPtEAAo

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 2, 2025

The Global Sumud Flotilla, transporting medicine and food to Gaza, consists of more than 40 civilian boats with about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists.

The flotilla put out several videos on Telegram with messages from individuals aboard the various boats, some holding their passports and claiming they were abducted and taken to Israel against their will, and reiterating that their mission was a non-violent humanitarian cause.

The flotilla is the most high-profile symbol of opposition to Israel's blockade of Gaza.

Its progress across the Mediterranean Sea garnered international attention as nations including Turkey, Spain and Italy sent boats or drones in case their nationals required assistance, even as it triggered repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.