Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0: M'sian activists to press on with mission to Gaza

Ten Malaysian activists involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 will not be returning home and instead continue their mission to Gaza following their recent release from Israeli detention.

Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said the group had undergone medical checks upon arrival in Istanbul, Turkiye, and was making preparations.

“We can confirm that the activists are not injured, are in stable condition and remain enthusiastic.

“They will not be returning to Malaysia as they are continuing the mission,” he told a press conference at SNCC headquarters today.

Sani (above) said the activists are being assessed before proceeding with the next phase of the voyage, which is expected to involve coordination with the Greece chapter of the mission.

He added that despite their ordeal, including being “kidnapped in the middle of the night in international waters”, their morale remains high.

The on-ground command centre is now working to arrange vessels for the next leg of the journey, which could resume at any time, he said.

SNCC has also launched a countdown for the next “Break the Silence, Break the Siege” flotilla mission.

‘Release two other activists’

Earlier, activist Zainal Rashid Ahmad also said the group would not return to Malaysia and would instead join the next voyage.

In a Facebook video, Zainal described their detention as “extremely horrible”.

“We are stopping in Istanbul and will not be returning to Kuala Lumpur as we will continue our voyage from here to Gaza.

“We ask Malaysians to remain united on the issues of Gaza and always remember the Al-Aqsa mosque, as well as for the Malaysian government to send a note of protest to release our two fighters - Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Avila - who are still detained and may be sentenced to death,” he said.

SNCC also condemned the continued detention of Spanish national Abukeshek and Brazilian Avila, who have been held for over 96 hours.

“SNCC insists that both activists deserve a fair trial and should be released immediately and unconditionally,” Sani said.

The flotilla mission involves 175 activists and over 63 vessels, combining maritime efforts and land mobilisation aimed at breaking the blockade on Gaza.

The Malaysian group was intercepted near the Greek island of Crete on April 30 before being released and flown to Istanbul.

Apart from Zainal, the other Malaysian activists are Osman Zolkifli, Dr Jihan Alya Nordin, Hazwan Hazim Dermawan, Hanafi Salim, Ahmad Musa Al-Nuwayri Kamaruzaman, Norhelmi Ab Ghani, Redzal Amzah, Muhsin Zaidi and Shamsir Isa.

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