Eight Malaysians Detained by Israeli Forces After Global Sumud Flotilla Interception
SEPANG: Eight Malaysians taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission have been detained by Israeli forces after their vessels were intercepted while sailing towards Gaza, according to the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC).
The incident occurred around 6pm Malaysian time on Monday, when multiple vessels carrying aid were stopped in international waters en route to deliver humanitarian assistance to the besieged Palestinian territory.
SNCC confirmed that activist Zainal Rashid Ahmad was detained at about 5pm while aboard the vessel Amanda. Another participant, Muhamad Muhsin Zaidi, was intercepted at 5.20pm while travelling on the Isobella.
Three Malaysians aboard the Ferluto, S. Patmanathan, Muhammad Amirul Afif Mohd Azhar, and Dr Syakirin Muhamed Senin, were detained at around 4.50pm.
Two more Malaysians, Mohammad Syazly Mohammad Shees and Tengku Ahmad Taufik Tengku Noor Zahari, were detained after their vessel Cactus was intercepted at about 4pm.
Activist Ahmad Musa Al-Nuwayri Kamaruzzaman, who was on board the Josef/Yusuf, was detained at approximately 5.35pm.
SNCC director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said the flotilla was located about 241 nautical miles from Gaza when it was intercepted, which he claimed was within international waters protected under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
He alleged that Israeli forces used aggressive tactics during the interception, including deploying rigid inflatable boats towards the convoy, while warships and a prison ship were also spotted near the flotilla’s operational area.
According to SNCC, a total of 11 vessels were intercepted or obstructed by Israeli forces, including Cactus, Zio Faster, Holy Blue, Ferluto, Kyriakos, Amanda, Blue Toys, Barbaris, Isobella, Josef, and Tenaz (Freedom Flotilla).
Two additional detainees were also reported, including Pakistani delegate Abdul Sattar Edhi Muhammad Saad from the Zio Faster and Indonesian national Andi Anga Prasadewa from the Josef.
Despite the interceptions, SNCC said 41 vessels carrying 21 Malaysians are continuing their journey towards Gaza, although they are facing heightened risks amid ongoing threats, harassment, and possible further interception by Israeli forces.