Pakistan demands the immediate release of aid workers aboard a flotilla headed for Gaza.

Pakistan demanded on Thursday the immediate release of all activists and aid workers aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla headed for Gaza.

Pakistan strongly denounced Israel’s interception of the flotilla, which included more than 40 civilian vessels and carried over 500 international volunteers delivering much-needed humanitarian relief to the besieged people of Gaza, according to a statement released by the Foreign Office.

Israel has once again violated international law and international humanitarian law by unlawfully detaining international activists on board the flotilla, putting the lives of innocent civilians at jeopardy.

According to FO, this heinous act is a part of Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza and its persistent pattern of aggression, which has resulted in severe deprivation and misery for more than two million Palestinians. Israel has seriously violated its duties as the occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention by willfully obstructing humanitarian aid.

The FO statement read, “Pakistan reiterates its call for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire across all Occupied Palestinian Territories; the lifting of the illegal blockade of Gaza; unrestricted access and provision of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people; immediate release of all humanitarian workers and activists onboard the flotilla; full respect for international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law; and accountability for Israel’s repeated violations of international law.”

A viable, independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital was also established, and Pakistan reaffirmed its unwavering support and solidarity with the Palestinian people in their just struggle for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.