THIS is with reference to the report ‘Edhi scion among Gaza-bound activists captured by Israel’ (May 19). Over the last many years, a series of civilian flotillas and maritime missions have sought to challenge the Zionist occupation of Palestine. The cause is simple: the flotilla organisers want to deliver humanitarian aid, which, in a way, will challenge the 18-year maritime blockade, and bring international attention towards the genocide there. It started in 2008 and subsequent campaigns were initiated in 2011, 2015, 2018, and the latest in 2025-26.

Despite high-handed reaction to these humanitarian missions, Western govern-ments have largely ignored accountability for atrocities being committed in inter-national waters. Some feeble statements are issued which even the occupiers know are aimed at pleasing the people of the Western countries. European individuals on these missions have been abandoned by their own governments even when they reported rape in custody.

If the Western governments are sincerely concerned about humanitarian crisis in Gaza, they should do something concrete instead of simply issuing statements.

Angabeen Ahmad
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2026