Malaysia Demands Immediate, Unconditional Release Of All Aboard Gaza Aid Flotilla

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysia demands the immediate and unconditional release of all activists, humanitarian workers, and crew members aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), including Malaysian citizens, and their vessels.

In a statement on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry also demands the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

At press time, 12 Malaysians have reportedly been detained by Israeli forces and lost contact with the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC).

They were singer Heliza Helmi and her sister Nur Hazwani Afiqah, who were aboard Hio; Nurfarahin Romli and Danish Nazran Murad (Grande Blu); and singer Zizi Kirana (Huga).

Others detained were Musa Nuwayri, Iylia Balqis, and Sul Aidil (Alma); as well as Haikal Abdullah, Muaz Zainal, Zulfadhli Khiduddin, and Rusydi Ramli (Sirius).

Sumud Nusantara is a people-led convoy from Malaysia and nine other countries that aims to break the Gaza blockade and deliver humanitarian aid.

The ministry said Malaysia strongly condemns the criminal and cowardly acts of aggression by Israeli forces against the peaceful mission.

“The unprovoked and indiscriminate actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including international maritime law, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law," it said.

“At a time when the Palestinian people are facing genocide, starvation, deteriorating health and other unimaginable sufferings, this mission is not only lawful under international law but also a moral obligation that the international community must respect and protect,” it said.

Malaysia calls upon the United Nations Security Council and the international community to take urgent and concrete action to end Israel's impunity.

“The international community must no longer tolerate Israel's blatant disregard for global norms and principles.

“Malaysia remains resolute in supporting all genuine efforts towards achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital," stressed the ministry.

Earlier, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned in the strongest terms Israel’s interception and intimidation of GSF, saying the act targeted unarmed civilians and vessels on a legitimate and peaceful humanitarian mission.

-- BERNAMA