Hafiz Naeem backs Gaza flotilla, slams US ‘deception’ amid Shehbaz–Trump reset

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed solidarity with aid ships en route to Gaza and called for stronger global support for the Palestinian cause on Friday.

“Jamaat-e-Islami supports the Flotilla, and aid workers are sending a powerful message to the entire world,” said Rehman, addressing a press conference. “We need to further strengthen the global wave of solidarity for Palestine.”

According to Al Jazeerah, Israel’s relentless war on Gaza has killed more than 65,500 Palestinians and wounded over 167,000 since October 2023, with thousands still trapped under the rubble as rescue teams struggle to reach them.

The scale of devastation and accusations of war crimes have fueled growing international outrage, prompting initiatives like the Global Sumud Flotilla — a civilian-led mission aiming to break the blockade and deliver aid to the besieged enclave.

An international convoy of nearly 20 ships has gathered in Tunisia with humanitarian workers, politicians, activists and public figures from 44 countries. On aboard the Sumud Nusantara are delegations from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Thailand, Maldives, Malaysia and Indonesia. JI former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan is leading the delegation from Pakistan.

Global figures such as Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela are also on the mission, which aims to break the blockade and deliver aid to Gaza.

Read: Gaza ceasefire prospects brighten

Sixteen countries — including Pakistan, Turkey, South Africa, and Brazil — have urged Israel to ensure the safety of flotilla participants, warning that any unlawful act would invite international accountability.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s broader campaign of solidarity with Gaza has been reinforced by its chief, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, who has pledged to intensify efforts through protests, international outreach, and diplomatic appeals.

Earlier, Rehman recalled that JI had suspended regular political activity to focus on Gaza, announcing marches towards the US embassy and outreach efforts to Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. He also said the party would write to the UN Secretary-General on Gaza.

“In two years, Israel has crossed all limits,” said Rehman, calling out Israel for “committing genocide against Palestinians”. He added that Israel has demolished “80,000 homes” in the West Bank, imprisoned thousands, and continues bombing Gaza.

US ties and Trump

Rehman also strongly condemned the attack on the negotiation team in Qatar, calling it “the biggest fascism” and claiming it occurred “on [US President Donald] Trump’s orders”.

He further accused the United States of backing Israel, saying, “America is continuously deceiving,” while Israeli bombing on Palestine continues.

Read More: JI announces march towards US embassy over Gaza aggression

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met US President Donald Trump at the White House earlier this week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, in what officials described as a “reset” in ties after years of estrangement under Joe Biden, who never engaged Pakistan at a leadership level.

Shehbaz has since travelled to New York, where he will address the 193-member Assembly on today, focusing on Gaza, Kashmir, climate change, and other global issues.

Commenting on this, Rehman said, “it is good to engage with any country”. But, he added, the US is guilty of deception and stressed that Israel’s continued assaults on Palestinians benefit from US backing.