Kuala lumpur: Efforts to extend welfare aid and support to the families of Malaysians involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission are being continued, with assistance tailored to current needs. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan, emphasized that the approach is based on ongoing discussions with Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby to assess the type and suitability of assistance required.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Zulkifli stated that the government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim fully support the GSF programme. In previous efforts, assistance had been extended to the families involved. The initiative is being continued with due consideration to current needs, with a commitment to providing the best possible assistance. This announcement was made after the handover ceremony of newly built houses under the YAPEIM-Yayasan Sultan Mizan Sinar Lestari Programme at Kampung Tok Dor Dalam.
Dr Zulkifli highlighted that the government's priority is to ensure that all forms of aid effectively meet the needs of the volunteers and their families. He assured that the government remains ready to assist in terms of welfare and financial support, with a comprehensive assessment to ensure the assistance is well-coordinated, effective, and reaches the intended recipients.
The GSF 2.0 mission included ten Malaysian humanitarian activists among 186 individuals aboard 22 vessels intercepted by Israeli forces while en route to Gaza. The Malaysians involved included Zainal Rashid Ahmad, Osman Zolkifli, Dr Jihan Alya Mohd Nordin, Hazwan Hazim Dermawan, Mohd Hanafi Mohd Salim, Ahmad Musa Al-Nuwayri Kamaruzaman, Norhelmi Ab Ghani, Mohd Redzal Amzah, Muhamad Muhsin Zaidi, and Mohd Shamsir Mohd Isa. All ten Malaysians detained in international waters near Crete, Greece, were released at Lerapetra Port, Crete, the following day.
GSF 2.0 is an international maritime coalition combined with global mobilisation efforts aimed at breaking the blockade on Gaza in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the territory.