Global Sumud Flotilla Enters Crucial Phase En Route To Gaza
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission, now sailing in international waters near Greece before heading to Gaza, has entered its most crucial phase, described as the decisive moment of the entire movement within the coming week.
Founder of Cinta Salam Malaysia (CSM), Ahmad Musa Al-Nuwayri Kamaruzaman, who is part of the mission, said the GSF vessel was currently en route to gather with other ships participating in the effort.
Ahmad Musa, who is aboard the vessel ALMA, said it was expected to arrive near Greece in the next two days.
“In fact, the distance from Greece is very close to Gaza. I asked the Chief Executive Officer of Cinta Gaza Malaysia, Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman, and he said it may take another four to five days from Greece before reaching Gaza.
“This week is truly a critical point, the deciding factor in all we have been doing... so we need prayers from all Malaysians for the success of the GSF mission,” he said during a live stream with Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan on TikTok Monday.
Ahmad Musa said the success of the GSF mission was not only measured by whether the ships physically arrived in Gaza but also by its role in reviving the Palestinian issue at the international level, including through social media.
“Now, everyone is talking about Gaza, about the atrocities faced by our brothers and sisters there. On social media, the Palestinian issue has once again become the centre of attention. That is the real success of this mission,” he said.
He added that international solidarity had also been demonstrated, citing information that tens of thousands of dockworkers in Genoa, Italy, had pledged to hold a massive strike if the GSF ships were harassed during their voyage.
“They have sent one ship from Italy (as part of GSF) that will serve as a signal vessel. They said if communication with this ship is lost for more than 20 minutes, they will shut down one of Italy’s most important ports, which is also vital to Israel for supplies, weapons and other shipments,” he said.
On the safety of the flotilla, Ahmad Musa said as a precaution, all participants, including himself, had been taking turns to monitor their vessels at night following the appearance of several drones in recent days.
“These drones appear only at night and disappear by morning. We don’t know if they are following our ships, but what we do know is that last night we saw five to six drones even without binoculars, so GSF is taking precautions,” he said.
The GSF voyage across the Mediterranean Sea, carrying food, medicine and a message of peace, is scheduled to reach Gaza’s waters at the end of this month, involving more than 1,000 volunteers aboard nearly 70 boats with the single aim of breaking the blockade on Gaza.
The GSF brings together an international coalition from Europe, Asia, South Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, with all delegations emphasising the principle of non-violence and the role of the ships as symbols of global solidarity with the people of Gaza.
-- BERNAMA
