He describes his detention in international waters and says he faced torture and inhuman treatment after Israeli custody.
Saad Edhi speaks to the media upon arrival at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport after being released from Israeli detention. SCREEN CAPTURE
Saad Edhi, a prominent human rights activist and son of Edhi Foundation Chairman Faisal Edhi, who was part of the Gaza aid flotilla “Sumud Flotilla”, returned to Pakistan on Saturday after being released from Israeli custody.
Earlier this week, Israeli forces detained Saad along with other volunteers after intercepting the Sumud Global Flotilla, which was transporting humanitarian aid, including medicine and food, to victims in Gaza. However, he was released a day later, a fact later confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Upon his arrival at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, he received a warm welcome, where his wife and daughter were also present to greet him.
Read also: The Minister of Justice of Dar confirms the release of Saad Edhi, a flotilla activist detained in Israel
On the occasion, Saad said that his trip began on May 14 and that he was detained by Israeli forces in international waters, about 200 nautical miles from Gaza.
“The flotilla was made up of 180 people and we spent two nights on a boat, during which 35 people were injured and 15 were sexually assaulted. They were only provided with bread and water as food,” he said.
Saad added that he was subjected to torture and continued to face inhumane treatment after being brought to Israel.
“They kept me in prison without knowing when they would release me. They put me in a cell, I went on a hunger strike and survived only on water,” he said.
He said the mission to Gaza was unarmed and humanitarian in nature, and aimed to deliver food and medicine to hungry Palestinian civilians and children.
According to him, Israeli officials used laser lights to prevent detainees from sleeping, while water was poured on the prison floor.
Read also: Activists released from Gaza flotilla denounce 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 without US or European passports faced harsher treatment, while even US citizens who spoke out against their government were attacked.
He said he was tortured for four days, adding that although he endured the experience, Palestinians had been suffering for decades.
“Aid supplies were destroyed, but I will continue to raise my voice for Palestine and work to send assistance again,” he said, urging the Pakistani government to play its role in resolving the Palestinian issue.
Meanwhile, former senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan said Saad was a Pakistani hero who had honored his family name.
“Saad Edhi represented 250 million Pakistanis,” he said, adding that he himself had been imprisoned twice in Israeli custody.
Read: Saad Edhi’s arrest condemned
He said there were about 11,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, including about 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 cause for relief, but true 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 fight for Palestinian freedom will continue,” he said.
