KARACHI: Social activist Saad Edhi has returned to Pakistan after his release from Israeli custody, arriving via Istanbul where he received a warm welcome at the airport.
Speaking to the media upon arrival, Saad Edhi said their journey began on May 14 and they were detained nearly 200 nautical miles from Gaza. He claimed that the convoy consisted of 180 people.
He alleged that they were held on a ship for two nights, during which several individuals were injured, and further claimed that detainees were mistreated during the incident. He also said that basic food provisions were limited to bread and water.
Saad Edhi further stated that he was subjected to torture after being taken to Israel and kept in detention cells without knowing when they would be released. He added that he went on a hunger strike and survived on water during his detention.
He claimed that the group was not allowed any contact with outsiders and that their humanitarian aid supplies were destroyed. He described the detainees as being treated as “prisoners of war” during the episode.
Upon his arrival in Istanbul and later Pakistan, he was received by supporters and well-wishers at the airport.
