Malaysia seeks Türkiye’s help to repatriate volunteers detained in Gaza flotilla raid
Malaysia has turned to Türkiye for help in securing the return of its citizens detained after Israel’s assault on the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla
ISTANBUL (AA) – Malaysia has turned to Türkiye for help in securing the return of its citizens detained after Israel’s assault on the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he has requested President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to facilitate the evacuation of 23 Malaysian volunteers who were part of the aid mission. He suggested that a special Turkish aircraft, already being arranged for Turkish nationals, could also carry the Malaysians to Istanbul.
“From Istanbul, insha-Allah (God willing), we will bring our Malaysians home,” Anwar told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, after attending congregational prayers. He said preliminary understandings had been reached and expressed confidence the activists would be released soon.
The GSF, made up of around 50 ships and over 500 activists from more than 50 countries, set sail to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s blockade of the besieged enclave.
Israeli naval forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters on Thursday and Friday, boarding several vessels and ramming at least one.
More than 450 activists were detained.
Among them was a Malaysian delegation led by activist Sani Araby. Anwar said he remained in direct contact with the group. In a separate message posted on X, he assured that “all resources and efforts are being mobilized” to ensure their immediate release “without compromise.”
Israel on Friday seized the last remaining vessel, the Marinette, effectively dismantling the mission. Its Foreign Ministry said those detained would be “deported to Europe.”
The GSF is the latest in a series of international attempts to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza, home to 2.4 million Palestinians.
The siege, imposed for nearly 18 years, has deepened the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
Since October 2023, Israel’s bombardment and ground assault have killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and rendered much of Gaza uninhabitable.
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