Ceasefire deal raises hope for GSF mission to enter Gaza by land

The announcement of a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip has given fresh hope to participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission to resume their efforts in delivering aid to the people there.

Muhammad Abdullah, 32, better known as Ustaz Mad Kecik, said the positive development has strengthened his confidence that future opportunities to enter Gaza will be more promising.

“We now see a brighter chance to enter Gaza by land. Insya-Allah, if we can get in, may all 23 of us be able to return and continue helping the people of Palestine. If we cannot go by sea, we will try to go by land.

“That was our aim from the start, but the land route was blocked by Israel, forcing us to use the sea route previously - which was also blocked,” he told reporters when met at Sultan Mahmud Airport today.

Muhammad, together with another GSF participant from Terengganu, Asmawi Mukhtar, 52, arrived at the airport from Kuala Lumpur to a rousing welcome by over 1,000 people, including family members, friends and supporters from Terengganu.

Earlier, international media reported that Israel and Hamas had signed the first phase of a Gaza peace agreement, allowing the release of all Israeli hostages.

Muhammad, who founded a Quranic school in Kampung Dura, Hulu Terengganu, expressed hope that the nine Malaysian activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (FFC x TMTG) missions detained by the Zionist regime yesterday would soon return home safely, just as he and his 22 fellow participants had.

He also urged the public to continue spreading awareness about the suffering endured by the people of Gaza as a result of Israeli aggression.

“If we stop talking about it, it means we have given victory to the enemy. So never stop - keep speaking up for the sake of humanity, religion and our people,” he said.

Asmawi, who was deeply moved by the warm reception from the people of Terengganu, said that despite facing great hardship since the start of the voyage and during their detention by Israeli forces, he remains determined to continue helping the people of Gaza.

“It was a real test of mental strength right from the beginning of the voyage, but Ustaz Mad (Muhammad) kept encouraging us and shared prayers through our WhatsApp group. That gave me the strength I needed when I was close to giving up,” he said.

170k tonnes of relief supplies

In a related development, around 170,000 tonnes of relief supplies are prepared and waiting to be delivered to the Gaza Strip, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) said in Geneva on Thursday, after the announcement of an initial deal to end the fighting in Gaza, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

As soon as the Israeli authorities who control access to the war zone give the green light, these supplies can be brought to people in need, he said. The supplies include food, medicine, tents and other urgently needed aid.

Earlier this week, Ocha said Israeli authorities have either not approved or blocked a total of 45 percent of its registered aid convoys since the war began in October 2023.

In order to provide for the civilian population, Ocha needs open border crossings, guarantees that aid workers and those in need can move safely, visas for foreign personnel and the unrestricted entry of relief supplies, the spokesperson said.

He also said the private sector in the Gaza Strip must be revived as quickly as possible.

Israel and Hamas on Wednesday agreed to the first phase of US President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza.

In addition to the return of hostages and release of Palestinian prisoners, Hamas said the agreement foresees an end to the war, Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the entry of humanitarian aid into the sealed-off territory.

- Bernama

Gaza: M'sia favours diplomacy over Iraq's Islamic military alliance plan

UN: More than 54,600 children suffering from acute malnutrition in Gaza

Govt mulls second Gaza humanitarian mission through Rafah: PM

Israel, Hamas agree to first phase of peace deal - Trump