Saad Edhi among more than 100 detained as Israel opens fire on Gaza-Bound Flotilla

TEL AVIV – Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid toward Gaza, has been intercepted in Mediterranean amid rising tensions, and Saad Edhi, son of Edhi Foundation chairman Faisal Edhi, was among the volunteers on board, who sent urgent messages before contact was lost. Reports say more than 100 people were detained, turning the mission into a sudden maritime crisis.

It was Israeli forces who opened fire on Global Sumud Flotilla in a dramatic escalation at sea, as the humanitarian convoy headed toward Gaza carrying hundreds of international aid workers.

Saad Edhi, a Pakistani citizen, has been intercepted. The Government of Pakistan must take immediate and necessary action to secure his safe release.

His only aim was to deliver humanitarian aid along with 500 other participants from 45 different countries. They have been… pic.twitter.com/e5smjFmTGp

— Global Sumud Flotilla Commentary (@GlobalSumudF) May 18, 2026

The operation allegedly resulted in the detention of more than 100 volunteers, including Saad Edhi, triggering urgent diplomatic concern in Pakistan.

Saad shared on social media that the mission was intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea during its journey and claimed that one of the vessels came under fire. He said that Israeli forces had carried out mass arrests of volunteers on board, describing the situation as rapidly deteriorating.

He also warned that the situation onboard was critical, stating, “This may be our last update,” as communication and coordination reportedly broke down during the interception. Soon after, the Edhi Foundation confirmed that contact with Saad Edhi had been lost, deepening fears about the safety of those on the mission.

Faisal Edhi, head of the Edhi Foundation, immediately reached out to senior Pakistani authorities, urging swift diplomatic intervention and all possible measures to secure the safe return of all detained participants.

From helicopter assaults over the Mediterranean to modern-era drone strikes and mass ship seizures, the Gaza flotilla confrontations have evolved into one of the most explosive and politically charged naval standoffs in recent history.

Israel maintains a naval blockade on Gaza, saying it is necessary to prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas. Activist groups, including the Free Gaza Movement, Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and Global Sumud initiatives, have repeatedly organized aid missions to challenge the blockade, arguing that Israel’s interceptions, especially in international waters, are unlawful.

One of drastic events occured in 2010, when Israeli commandos boarded Gaza Freedom Flotilla about 70–100 nautical miles from Gaza. A violent clash aboard the Mavi Marmara led to the deaths of around 9–10 activists, injuries on both sides, and a major international diplomatic crisis, particularly between Israel and Turkey.

After that incident, several flotilla attempts continued but were mostly intercepted without fatalities. Between 2011 and 2018, ships such as the Freedom Flotilla II and III missions, the Women’s Boat to Gaza, and vessels like Al Awda and Freedom were boarded or seized at sea and their passengers detained and later deported.

Tensions escalated again in 2025, when reports emerged of drone strikes damaging the ship Conscience near Malta, along with multiple interceptions of aid vessels far from Gaza. Later that year, the large Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying hundreds of activists, including high-profile figures, was intercepted in international waters, with ships seized and crews detained.

In 2026, one of the largest missions yet, involving dozens of boats and hundreds of activists, was also intercepted in the eastern Mediterranean. Reports said Israeli forces boarded vessels, disabled navigation systems on some ships, and detained participants, while organizers condemned the operation as aggressive and Israel maintained it was enforcing a lawful blockade.