Gaza: A group of humanitarian mission volunteers from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (FFC x TTMG) representing 25 countries — including nine Malaysians — detained by Israel are expected to arrive at the port of Ashdod, Israel, within 10 to 11 hours.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE) chief executive officer Kamarul Zaman Shaharul Anwar stated that there had been communication disruptions with the participants following the interception of the vessels by Israeli forces at 10.50 am today. He noted that the communication blackout is expected to continue, and the vessels’ speed would likely decrease as Israeli authorities aim to ensure the delegation’s arrival at night, local time.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan revealed that Trkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has pledged assistance in repatriating the nine Malaysian volunteers and 28 Turkish participants to Istanbul, with preparations currently underway. In response, MyCARE has called upon the Malaysian government and public to condemn Israel’s actions and demand the immediate release of all volunteers, while urging an end to the blockade and violence in Gaza.
Kamarul Zaman highlighted that the mission aimed not only to deliver humanitarian aid but also to express solidarity with doctors and journalists in Gaza who have lost their lives. He emphasized that doctors and international journalists from around the world were among those on board.
Earlier, MyCARE chairman Datuk Seri Prof Dr Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha reported that all nine vessels in the mission, including two carrying the nine Malaysians, were intercepted and seized by Israeli forces. MyCARE lost contact with the volunteers at 10.03 am and has informed their families of the situation.
Among the Malaysians aboard the ship Conscience were Malaysian delegation head Prof Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin, Dr Fauziah Mohd Hassan, Dr Hafiz Sulaiman, and Dr Ili Syakira Mohd Suhaimi. Other notable figures included Prof Dr Mohd Afandi Salleh, Dr Noorhasyimah Ismail, Norsham Abu Bakar, and Astro Awani journalist Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil. Dr Maziah Muhammad was on the vessel Umm Saad.