Describes his detention in international waters and states that he was tortured and subjected to inhumane treatment after his detention by Israel
Saad Edhi speaks to the media upon his arrival at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport after being released from Israeli detention. SCREENSHOT
Saad Edhi, a prominent human rights activist and son of Edhi Foundation Chairman Faisal Edhi, who was part of the Gaza humanitarian flotilla “Sumud Flotilla”, returned to Pakistan on Saturday after being released by Israel.
Earlier this week, Israeli forces arrested Saad along with other volunteers after intercepting the Global Sumud flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid, including medicine and food, for victims in Gaza. However, he was released a day later, a development later confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
On arrival at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, he was given a warm welcome, where his wife and daughter were also present to receive him.
Read also: DPM Dar confirms the release of Saad Edhi, flotilla activist, detained in Israel
Speaking on the occasion, Saad said his journey began on May 14 and was stopped by Israeli forces in international waters, approximately 200 nautical miles from Gaza.
“The flotilla consisted of 180 people and we spent two nights on a ship, during which 35 people were injured and 15 were victims of sexual assault. Only bread and water were provided as food,” he said.
Saad added that he was subjected to torture and continued to suffer inhumane treatment after being taken to Israel.
“I was kept in prison without knowing when I was going to be released. I was placed in a cell, I went on hunger strike and I survived only on water,” he said.
He said the mission in Gaza was unarmed and humanitarian in nature, and aimed to provide food and medicine to starving Palestinian civilians and children.
He said Israeli officials used laser lights to prevent detainees from sleeping, while water was poured on prison floors.
Read also: Activists in the liberated Gaza flotilla allege Israeli abuses, including rape
“We were subjected to prolonged torture, including being forced to sit on our knees for hours,” he said.
Saad further said that those who did not have a US or EU passport faced harsher treatment, while even US citizens who spoke out against their government were targeted.
He said he was tortured for four days, adding that while he endured the experience, Palestinians had been suffering for decades.
“Humanitarian supplies have been destroyed, but I will continue to raise my voice for Palestine and work to send aid again,” he said, urging the government of Pakistan to play its role in resolving the Palestinian issue.
Meanwhile, former senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan said Saad was a Pakistani hero who brought honor to his family’s name.
“Saad Edhi represented 250 million Pakistanis,” he said, adding that he himself had been imprisoned twice in Israeli prisons.
Read: Detention of Saad Edhi sentenced
He said there were around 11,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, including around 400 children under the age of 10, and claimed that Israel had passed a law for the execution of Palestinian prisoners.
“The release of Saad Edhi and other activists is a matter of relief, but real joy will only come when all Palestinian prisoners are released,” he said.
Asad Butt of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan paid tribute to the Edhi family.
“Israel is a terrorist state and the struggle for Palestinian freedom will continue,” he said.
