Gaza aid flotilla deport: Greta Thunberg lands in Greece

ISLAMABAD: Greta Thunberg landed in Athens on Monday alongside 160 other nationals from 16 European countries expelled to Greece by Israel for taking part in a Gaza aid flotilla, AFP journalists saw.

The deportees are citizens of Greece, Italy, France, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Denmark, Slovakia, Switzerland, Norway, the UK, Serbia, and the United States, the foreign ministry said.

Earlier, the Swedish climate campaigner had been among hundreds of people who had been on the 45-vessel flotilla that had unsuccessfully tried to break through an Israeli blockade to deliver aid to Gaza.

The United Nations says famine has taken hold in that Palestinian territory after two years of devastating war.

Former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad released; shares ordeal after flotilla aid detention

Activists unfurled a huge Palestinian flag in the arrivals hall and chanted “Freedom for Palestine” and “Long live the flotilla!” to welcome Thunberg and the other activists back to Europe, AFP reporters saw.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli government said that 170 more detainees of the Global Sumud Flotilla activists from Gaza aid were deported to Greece and Slovakia that also included climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. However, doubts remaining if the Pakistan’s Former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad also released.

Efforts underway to bring back former senator

The Government of Pakistan is actively pursuing diplomatic channels to secure the release and safe repatriation of former senator Mushtaq Ahmad, who is currently in Israeli custody following his participation in the Samud flotilla, the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed on Monday.

In a series of official statements, the FO spokesperson said that efforts are underway through the Pakistani Embassy in Oman and in coordination with international partners. With the cooperation of the Jordanian government, authorities hope the process will be successfully concluded in the coming days.

“We are sincerely grateful to the Jordanian government for its exemplary cooperation and support,” the spokesperson added.

Greta Thunberg among dozens set to leave Israel after Gaza flotilla detention

The foreign ministry has also assured that former senator Mushtaq Ahmad is “safe and sound” while in custody and is expected to be produced before a local court in accordance with Israeli legal procedures. Once a deportation order is issued, the process of repatriation will begin immediately, officials added.