Why did activists launch a flotilla to Gaza?

 Activists say the latest flotilla to Gaza was organised to challenge Israel’s blockade and highlight the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory.

The mission follows what organisers described as Israel’s “ongoing war” and restrictions on humanitarian aid, which have left the enclave facing severe shortages of food and medical supplies.

In August, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global hunger monitoring system, declared famine in Gaza after more than 22 months of conflict. International agencies report that medical facilities, schools and bakeries have been destroyed, while the entry of humanitarian assistance has been heavily restricted.

According to local health and monitoring groups, Israeli forces have targeted Palestinians seeking food. Within the past 24 hours alone, at least two people were reported killed and 44 wounded while attempting to access aid. Since the imposition of Israel’s total blockade in March, at least 2,582 Palestinians have been killed and more than 18,974 wounded in similar incidents.

Organisers of the flotilla said their effort represents an act of solidarity with Palestinians and a direct attempt to deliver supplies and draw international attention to what rights groups have called an “unfolding catastrophe”.

Meanwhile, the flotilla’s ship Mikeno successfully sailed into Palestinian waters and became the nearest vessel to Gaza. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described Israel’s actions as “barbarity,” further adding that the detention of activists was a “flagrant violation of international law.”

The Foreign Ministry also issued an official statement denouncing the Israeli assault, condemning Israel as an occupying power, and demanding the “immediate release” of all activists detained aboard the flotilla.

What was conspicuously absent from these statements, however, was any reference to the Pakistani delegation led by former Jamaat-e-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmed, who was abducted by Israeli forces after his vessel was intercepted.

While governments around the world explicitly demanded the safety of their citizens, Pakistani authorities, and even Jamaat-e-Islami itself, failed to raise the issue of ex-senator Mushtaq Ahmed and the six other Pakistanis who were aboard the flotilla.