Jerusalem: All 428 humanitarian activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0, including 29 Malaysians detained by Israeli forces in international waters, have been released, with the Malaysian group due to return home on Sunday (May 24).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Datuk Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby announced that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had dispatched three Turkish Airlines aircraft to Ramon Airport, located in Israeli territory. This move follows communication with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was informed of the developments.
All 428 flotilla activists were being transferred by bus to Ramon Airport and were expected to travel to Istanbul on three special Turkish government-sponsored flights, TK6919, TK6921, and TK6925. The flights are scheduled to depart from Israeli territory at approximately 8 pm Malaysian time and arrive in Istanbul by 10 pm Malaysian time, where they will be received by the Malaysian Embassy in Trkiye, Wisma Putra, and the Turkish government.
Sani Araby noted that the Malaysian delegation would undergo thorough medical examinations at Trkiye Hospital due to reports of some activists being beaten and sustaining injuries. The Malaysian activists are expected to fly home on May 23 and arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on May 24.
He expressed appreciation for the concern and commitment of Anwar, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari in securing the release of the 29 Malaysians. Their efforts involved strategically mobilizing international diplomatic channels for negotiations to ensure the safe return of all Malaysians.
The detention of the humanitarian activists sparked international outrage and condemnation, which was echoed through official statements and demonstrations. Countries including Turkiye, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, Australia, and Portugal, along with international organizations such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), United Nations (UN), and European Union (EU), condemned the interception and detention of the flotilla activists in international waters.
Sani Araby emphasized that the global response included not only condemnation but also international pressure, with potential economic and diplomatic sanctions, legal action, and diplomatic notes against Israel. This pressure forced the regime, which initially planned to detain the activists for an extended period at Ketziut prison, to release them unconditionally.
Yesterday, SNCC confirmed that all 50 vessels in the GSF 2.0 mission, carrying 428 humanitarian activists from 40 countries, were intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, approximately 80 nautical miles off the Gaza coast.