SEPANG, May 4 — Ten Malaysians involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 (GSF) humanitarian mission, who were previously held by Israeli forces in international waters, are now in stable health in Istanbul and are expected to take part in a reorganised second wave of the mission.

Sumud Nusantara Command Center (SNCC) director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said all of them underwent medical checks upon arrival in Turkiye and were confirmed to have no serious injuries, despite reports they were unlawfully abducted at midnight while sailing towards Gaza.

“So far, we can confirm they are stable, remain in high spirits and have chosen not to return to Malaysia as the mission will continue. Assignments will be given from time to time,” he told a press conference here today.

He said the mission organisers are assessing the next steps, including combining flotilla assets from Greece and Turkiye to resume the voyage soon.

Sani Araby also revealed that of the 21 vessels detained on April 31, three have been successfully towed by the Open Arms vessel from Barcelona, after being found in severely damaged condition.

“One vessel, Goleta, has been confirmed sunk and is believed to have been sabotaged, while 17 others remain at sea and efforts are underway to tow them,” he said.

Sani Araby said that the mission is restructuring its logistical assets, including vessels, to redeploy activists currently in Turkiye.

“With 17 vessels still adrift and some damaged due to suspected sabotage, this is not an easy task. However, we have prepared for various contingencies since the mission began from Barcelona,” he noted.

Meanwhile, he said that of the 175 individuals detained in the incident, some were reportedly assaulted and abused, with 31 requiring hospital treatment.

“The SNCC condemns the mistreatment of two key GSF activists, Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila, who were detained for more than 96 hours at Shikma Prison in Ashkelon.

“Both of them deserve a fair trial and should be released immediately without conditions,” he stressed.

Sani Araby also announced the launch of a seven-day countdown campaign as part of the second wave of #BreakTheSilent and #BreakTheSiege, calling for a united global push to intensify efforts towards the liberation of Gaza.

“During this period, we will step up our efforts and may announce the next voyage at any time,” he said.

He added that the mission has received international backing, including from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations (UN).

SNCC also urged Malaysians to continue voicing support for Palestine through various platforms, including social media, while ensuring information shared is based on credible and authoritative sources.

The public was further encouraged to perform special prayers, including solat hajat and Qunut Nazilah, as a sign of solidarity with the humanitarian mission. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — Ten Malaysian delegates from the Sumud Nusantara Command Center (SNCC), who were detained in international waters near the Greek island of Crete on Thursday, have been released at the port of Lerapetra in Crete.

SNCC director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said the ten were among 175 humanitarian activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) transported to Heraklion Airport in buses provided by the Greek authorities.

He also noted that SNCC has been informed that the Turkish government has provided a 160-seat aircraft to repatriate 20 of its own citizens, while also offering seats to any GSF activists who wish to join the flight.

“The flight is expected to depart from Heraklion Airport at 10.15 pm and arrive at Istanbul International Airport at 11.45 pm, both in Malaysian time,” he told a press conference here last night.

He confirmed that the ten released Malaysian activists have accepted the offer and will fly to Istanbul.

Sani Araby said that SNCC received reports that activists faced provocation and physical attacks during their detention. They were also forced into uncomfortable conditions, leading to violent incidents that resulted in injuries to several participants.

He added that two members of GSF’s main steering committee, Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Avila, remain in Israeli custody, believed to be an attempt to threaten and cripple the mission.

Sani Araby said SNCC has been in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate travel arrangements for the Malaysian activists from Greece to Istanbul.

“Three SNCC representatives are already in Istanbul for management and assessment,” he said.

He further noted that the decision on whether the ten Malaysian activists will continue their mission or return home depends on their health status and the current consensus between SNCC and GSF.

 

Meanwhile, he said that SNCC urges Malaysians and the international community to keep up the pressure and demand the release of Thiago and Saif. 

He also called on Malaysians to continue raising their voices in support of a free Gaza and Palestine, to perform special prayers (Solat Hajat and Qunut Nazilah), and to step up the dissemination of verified information and advocacy efforts both at home and abroad.

The GSF 2.0 mission is an international maritime coalition and global mobilisation movement committed to breaking the blockade on Gaza, in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region. — Bernama

BANGI, May 1 — The Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) has yet to receive any official confirmation on the safety status of 175 Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 activists, including 10 Malaysian participants, after being detained by Israeli authorities in international waters 38 hours ago.

SNCC director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said while there was initial information that all the activists would be released at Lerapetra Port, Crete, Greece at noon today (Malaysia time), it has yet to be verified.

“The current status (of the information) has yet to be confirmed through official channels and our field group at the port,” he said at a special media conference on updates on the Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 here today.

Sani Araby said they have also been in contact with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who has stated his firm stand and condemned the Israeli regime for violating international laws.

“(The Prime Minister) stated his continued commitment to ensure the release of the participants,” he added.

Sani Araby said the Prime Minister informed that the government through Wisma Putra has begun diplomatic efforts by contacting the Malaysian honorary consul in Greece and other friendly countries to assist and coordinate efforts to release the activists.

He also urged Malaysians to continue to pressure and state their stand on the violation of international laws by the Zionist regime in Gaza and Palestine.

“SNCC has been informed that efforts are being made with legal groups around the world to apply continued pressure on the Israeli regime through respective diplomatic efforts to release the participants.

“We urge all Malaysians to pray and do whatever they can in sympathy for those being detained and also outrage against the violations committed by the Israeli regime,” he said, adding that all MPs, backbenchers and Opposition, should unite to pressure the regime over their actions in detaining the activists in international waters that was a violation of human rights.

He reiterated that the regime’s actions would not deter other activists and the delegations in Greece and Turkiye were determined to carry on with their voyage.

The ten Malaysians detained yesterday are Zainal Rashid Ahmad onboard Arkham III; Osman Zolkifli and Dr Jihan Alya Mohd Nordin (Eros 1); Hazwan Hazim Dermawan, Mohd Hanafi Mohd Salim, Ahmad Musa Al-Nuwayri Kamaruzaman and Norhelmi Ab Ghani (Bianca BCN), Mohd Redzal Amzah (Freia); Muhamad Muhsin Zaidi (Marea) and Mohd Shamsir Mohd Isa (Esplai). — Bernama