Ex-Pakistani Senator Arrested After Israeli Military Intercepts Gaza-Bound Flotilla

Former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, who was leading the Pakistani delegation on the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, has reportedly been arrested by Israeli forces, who intercepted the flotilla and boarded the ships.

“Former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan has been arrested by Israeli occupying forces. This is the time to step out of your homes and demand the release of Senator Mushtaq Ahmed and the volunteers from 44 countries with him,” said the Pak – Palestine Forum on X.

🚨 LIVE-STREAMED MASS KIDNAPPING 🚨
Israel has abducted 497 people from 46 countries — including 🇵🇰 Ex-Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan — from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters!

This was a humanitarian mission, now a global crime.#GlobalSumudFlotilla pic.twitter.com/hwu4hlAyoM

— Amjad Ali Khan (@amjhuu_live) October 2, 2025

🚨 SENATOR MUSHTAQ AHMED KHAN ARRESTED BY ISRAEL #SenatorMushtaqArrestedByIsrael#GlobalSumudFlotilla #FlotillaUnderAttack

Source: Only one ship has managed to escape i.e. observer boat, whose duty was to collect information and escape. Our second delegate Syed Uzair Nizami… https://t.co/3fEZI92ZfF pic.twitter.com/Q5OfWUZEP7

— Pak – Palestine Forum (@Pak_PalForum) October 1, 2025

“Only one ship has managed to escape, i.e., [the] observer boat, whose duty was to collect information and escape. Our second delegate Syed Uzair Nizami was sailing on the observer boat and shared the information regarding the interception of Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan’s ship,” said the advocacy group.

Khan’s arrest came days after Pakistan accepted US President Donald Trump’s peace proposal for Gaza, and there were rumours that Islamabad may join the Abraham Accords, which entailed normalising relations with Israel. Pakistan has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

Israeli Forces Intercept Flotilla

The Global Sumud Flotilla, involving around 45 ships carrying over 500 politicians and activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, had left Spain last month, aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and send urgent humanitarian aid to the territory ravaged by starvation due to Israel’s military offensive.

However, several vessels were stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port, the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. “Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port. Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” said the ministry on X.

Greta Thunberg ‘Safe And Healthy’ After Israeli Military Intercepts Flotilla Bound For Gaza

The Israeli ministry also said Hamas documents that were discovered in the Gaza Strip, and are being revealed for the first time, show a direct link between the flotilla leaders and the organisation.

The organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla said they were “illegally intercepted and boarded” by Israel in international waters. “Around 8:30 pm Gaza time (1730 GMT), several vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including the Alma, Sirius and Adara, were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli occupation forces in international waters,” the flotilla said.

Several countries condemned the Israeli interception. Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he will expel all remaining Israeli diplomats over the interception. Turkey’s foreign minister called it “an act of terrorism that constitutes the most serious violation of international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians”.

“These vessels carried unarmed civilians and life-saving humanitarian supplies for Gaza, yet they were met with intimidation and coercion. By blocking a humanitarian mission, Israel has shown utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world. The flotilla embodied solidarity, compassion and the hope of relief for those under blockade,” said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Ahead of the interception, Spain and Italy, which sent naval escorts after it was struck with stun grenades and irritants in international waters off Greece, urged the ships to halt before entering Israel’s declared exclusion zone off Gaza. They urged the flotilla to “stop now” and asked them to abandon its mission, but the activists said their decision was an attempt to “sabotage” their endeavours.