Saad Edhi, who was part of the Gaza aid convoy “Sumud Flotilla”, has returned home to Pakistan after being released from Israeli military custody. After his release, Saad Edhi arrived at Jinnah International Airport where he received a grand welcome. His wife and young daughter also welcomed him at the airport.
On this occasion, Saad Edhi said during a conversation that his journey started on May 14 and that Israeli forces arrested them in international waters, about 200 nautical miles from Gaza.
He said that around 180 people were part of the convoy and they spent two nights on a ship, while 35 people were injured and 15 people were subjected to sexual abuse. According to Saad Edhi, they were given only bread and water as food.
Saad Edhi said that they were tortured and even after reaching Israel after three days, inhumane treatment continued. They were kept in jail where they did not know when they would be released. He said they were locked in cells, went on a hunger strike, and survived only on water.
He said that their mission for Gaza was unarmed and humanitarian in nature, and they wanted to deliver food and medicines to starving Palestinian people and children.
Saad Edhi said they were severely tortured and made to sit on their knees for hours and beaten. He said that those who did not have American or European passports were treated more harshly, and even Americans who spoke against their government were targeted.
He said they were tortured for four days, while Palestinians have been enduring oppression for 80 years. Saad Edhi said that the aid supplies were destroyed, but they will continue to raise voice for Palestine and will try to send aid again. He also urged the Government of Pakistan to play its role in resolving the Palestine issue.
Saad Edhi is a Pakistani hero, he made his grandfather’s name proud, former senator Mushtaq Ahmed:
Former senator Mushtaq Ahmed said that Saad Edhi is a Pakistani hero and he has made his grandfather’s name proud. While talking to media, he said that Saad Edhi represented 250 million Pakistanis, and he himself has been arrested twice and imprisoned in Israeli jail and knows Israel’s oppressive tactics.
Mushtaq Ahmed said that there are 11,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israel, including around 400 children under the age of 10. He claimed that Israel has passed a law to execute Palestinian prisoners, while according to international media reports, incidents of sexual abuse of Palestinian women and children have also been reported.
Also Read: Israeli forces seize gaza aid flotilla, detain Saad Edhi and other activists
