Kuala lumpur: Wisma Putra has initiated contact with authorities in Turkiye and the United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau to expedite the release of nine Malaysian activists detained by Israeli forces during the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens To Gaza (FFC x TTMG) humanitarian mission. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced this at the ‘Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza’ event at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil, attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad emphasized the government’s commitment to securing the activists’ release, drawing parallels to the successful liberation of 23 Malaysians previously detained during the Global Sumud Flotilla. The humanitarian mission’s boats, including the one carrying nine Malaysian volunteers, were seized by Israel at 10.50 am Malaysian time, as stated by Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE) chairman Datuk Seri Prof Dr Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha.

The Malaysian delegation aboard the seized boats included eight individuals on the Conscience, led by Prof Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin, and another medical doctor, Dr Maziah Muhammad, aboard the Umm Saad. The delegation comprised medical professionals and a journalist from Astro Awani, Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil.

Mohamad reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to advocating for Palestinian freedom on the global stage, highlighting the international support for Palestine’s independence expressed at the recent United Nations General Assembly. He expressed optimism about the imminent establishment of an independent Palestinian state.