Describes detention in international waters, says he faced torture and inhumane treatment after Israeli custody
Saad Edhi speaks to the media upon his arrival at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport after being released from Israeli detention. SCREEN GRAB
Saad Edhi, a prominent human rights activist and son of Edhi Foundation chairman Faisal Edhi, who was part of the Gaza relief 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 global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid, including medicine and food, to victims in Gaza. However, he was released a day later, a development later confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
When he arrived at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, he received a warm welcome where his wife and daughter were also present to receive him.
Also read: DPM Dar confirms release of Saad Edhi, flotilla activists from Israeli detention
Saad said on the occasion that his journey began on May 14 and that he was detained by Israeli forces in international waters, about 200 nautical miles from Gaza.
“The flotilla included 180 people and we spent two nights on a vessel where 35 people were injured and 15 were sexually assaulted. Only bread and water were provided as food,” he said.
Saad added that he was subjected to torture and continued inhumane treatment after being taken to Israel.
“I was kept in prison without knowing when I would be released. I was put in a cell, went on hunger strike and survived only on water,” he said.
He said the mission to Gaza was unarmed and humanitarian in nature, aimed at delivering food and medicine to starving Palestinian civilians and children.
According to him, Israeli officials used laser lights to prevent prisoners from sleeping while water was poured on prison floors.
Also read: Freed Gaza flotilla activists allege Israeli abuse, 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 American or European passports faced harsher treatment, while even American 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 suffered for decades.
“Aid supplies were destroyed, but I will continue to raise my voice for Palestine and work to send aid again,” he said, calling on Pakistan’s government to play its role in resolving the Palestine 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: Detention of Saad Edhi 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 matter of relief, but real joy will come only when all Palestinian prisoners are freed,” he said.
Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission, Asad Butt, paid tribute to the Edhi family.
“Israel is a terrorist state and the struggle for Palestinian freedom will continue,” he said.
