Saad Edhi released after flotilla interception

Saad Edhi, a prominent human rights activist and son of Edhi Foundation chairman Faisal Edhi, has been released from Israeli detention three days after the navy intercepted a humanitarian mission in international waters.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed Saad Edhi's release in a post on social media platform X on Thursday. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said separately that Turkiye was arranging special flights to evacuate its citizens and activists from several other countries.

"It gives me great pleasure to announce that, as a result of our concerted efforts, Saad Edhi, who was aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, has been released after being illegally detained by Israeli occupation forces," Dar wrote on X.

He added that other detained humanitarian workers had also been released and had safely arrived in Istanbul.

Saad Edhi was among more than 400 humanitarian workers from several countries participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of more than 50 boats carrying relief supplies including food, medicines and baby formula for Gaza's civilian population.

The flotilla departed from the Turkish Mediterranean port of Marmaris on May 15. However, on May 18, Israeli naval forces intercepted the vessels in international waters, detained activists and escorted the boats to Ashdod Port in southern Israel, according to international media reports.

Earlier, while speaking on programme 'Centre Stage', Faisal Edhi said his son had made his last contact with his mother shortly before the interception, telling her that he had been "abducted" by Israeli forces and would not be able to communicate again.

Faisal Edhi said the mission was entirely volunteer-based and funded through donations, with food and medical supplies collected for delivery to Gaza. He added that participants had received training to handle high-risk situations during the voyage.

He also said that flotilla participants faced violence during the interception, while reiterating that the mission was humanitarian in nature

(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)