Humanitarian Mission Volunteers Detained by Israeli Forces
A group of volunteers from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (FFC x TTMG) have been detained by Israeli authorities. This humanitarian mission, involving participants from 25 countries, includes nine Malaysians. The volunteers are expected to arrive at the port of Ashdod, Israel, within the next 10 to 11 hours.
Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE) chief executive officer Kamarul Zaman Shaharul Anwar shared that there have been communication disruptions with the participants after the vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces at 10:50 am today. He mentioned that the communication blackout is likely to last longer, and the vessels’ speed may decrease as the Israeli regime aims for the delegation to arrive at night (local time).
According to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will assist in repatriating the nine Malaysian volunteers and 28 Turkish participants to Istanbul. Preparations for this repatriation are currently underway.
MyCARE has called on the Malaysian government and the public to condemn Israel’s actions and demand the immediate release of all volunteers. The organization also urges an end to the illegal blockade and mass killings in Gaza. The mission was not only aimed at delivering humanitarian aid but also at expressing solidarity with doctors and journalists in Gaza who have lost their lives. Among those on board were doctors and international journalists from various parts of the world.
Earlier, MyCARE chairman Datuk Seri Prof Dr Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha stated that all nine vessels involved in the humanitarian mission, including two with nine Malaysians on board, were intercepted and illegally seized by Israel. He noted that MyCARE lost contact with the volunteers at 10:03 am and had informed their family members about the situation.
The Malaysians aboard the ship Conscience included Malaysian delegation head Prof Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin, Dr Fauziah Mohd Hassan, Dr Hafiz Sulaiman, and Dr Ili Syakira Mohd Suhaimi. Prof Dr Mohd Afandi Salleh, Dr Noorhasyimah Ismail, Norsham Abu Bakar, and Astro Awani journalist Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil were also on the Conscience. Another medical doctor, Dr Maziah Muhammad, was on the vessel Umm Saad.
