ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, alongside 15 other countries spanning Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, has called for the safety of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, a civil society-led mission carrying activists and humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian territory.
According to a statement issued by the foreign office on Tuesday, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, and Turkiye expressed their concern about the security of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
“The Global Sumud Flotilla has informed about its objective of delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and raising awareness about the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people and the need to stop the war in Gaza,” it said.
Both objectives, peace and humanitarian aid delivery, together with the respect of international law, including humanitarian law, are shared by the participating governments.
“We therefore call on everyone to refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the Flotilla, to respect international law and international humanitarian law,” the statement said.
“We recall that any violation of international law and human rights of the participants in the Flotilla, including attack against vessels in international waters or illegal detention, will lead to accountability,” it concluded.
🔊PR No.2️⃣7️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣
Statement by Pakistan and Fifteen other Countries on Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza https://t.co/NSSAmNdBmp
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/wkPM2XnQWi— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 16, 2025
It is pertinent to mention that the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) has set sail from Tunisia, with organisers and participants vowing to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver critical humanitarian aid.
The convoy departed from the northern port city of Bizerte, carrying activists from over 40 countries. Its launch was delayed earlier this week after two of the flotilla’s vessels were targeted in separate attacks.
On Monday, the lead ship was hit by a drone while docked in Sidi Bou Said. The following night, the vessel Alma was also attacked. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in either incident.
The flotilla’s mission comes amid growing alarm from the United Nations, which has warned that over half a million Palestinians in Gaza are facing catastrophic levels of hunger.
Aid organisations and legal experts have condemned the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, with many describing it as a form of genocide.
In early June, Israeli naval forces intercepted the aid vessel Madleen in international waters, seizing its aid cargo and detaining its crew of 12, while in May, another vessel, the Conscience, was hit by drones near Maltese waters, leaving it unable to continue.
