KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian humanitarian activist Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman confirmed on Thursday (October 2) that the activists detained by the Israeli military as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission had begun arriving at the port of Ashdod, Israel.
Leading the Sumud Nusantara contingent, Muhammad Nadir, also the CEO of Cinta Gaza Malaysia (CGM), revealed that the GSF legal team had initiated contact with the detainees to provide legal aid, Bernama reported.
“Insha-Allah (God willing), the Sumud heroes and heroines who were captured have started arriving at the occupation port in Ashdod. GSF lawyers have started contacting them to provide legal services,” Muhammad Nadir said in a Facebook statement Thursday evening.
He added, “At the very earliest, we will share their developments tomorrow (Oct 3) morning. In the meantime, keep up the action!”
Meanwhile, Muhammad Nadir and three other Malaysian volunteers remain aboard the observation vessel Jong Melayu in the Mediterranean Sea.
Earlier, Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) confirmed that all 23 Malaysians detained by Israeli forces while participating in the GSF humanitarian mission were safe and healthy. They are to be repatriated via a third country.
Among those detained were singer Heliza Helmi and her sister Nur Hazwani Afiqah, as well as other notable figures including singer Zizi Kirana, and influencers such as Nurul Hidayah Mohd Amin (Ardell Aryana). The detainees were aboard various vessels, including Hio, Grande Blu, Huga, Alma, Sirius, Inana, Mikeno, Estrella, Fair Lady, and Free Willy.
In response to the detentions, five Malaysian human rights lawyers are currently in Amman, Jordan, to ensure the detained activists receive fair legal protection. These lawyers are in contact with local legal teams and international advocates to ensure transparency and justice in the legal process.
The legal group, Adalah, which advocates for Arab minority rights in Israel, issued a statement on Thursday, expressing concern over the treatment of the GSF detainees. According to Adalah, the detained activists reported that immigration authorities had begun hearings on their deportations and detention orders without notifying their lawyers and while denying them access to legal counsel.
“These proceedings were initiated without prior notice to their lawyers and while denying participants access to legal counsel,” Adalah said in a statement. “This constitutes a grave violation of due process and a denial of participants’ fundamental rights.”
The Malaysian High Commission in Amman has been actively monitoring the situation, meeting with the legal team in Jordan to ensure fair and transparent representation for the detainees. The High Commission has also been liaising with ASEAN counterparts in Amman and Tel Aviv to obtain the latest information and provide necessary consular assistance.
The GSF mission, which included over 500 activists from 44 countries, including Malaysia, set sail towards Gaza as part of an effort to break the Israeli blockade and deliver vital supplies to Palestinians enduring the ongoing conflict.
The mission gained significant global attention, with participants including climate activist Greta Thunberg, Hollywood actors Susan Sarandon and Liam Cunningham, former Mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau, and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela.
The GSF flotilla carried food, medicine, and a message of peace, urging an end to the ongoing conflict, alleviation of the humanitarian crisis, and the opening of a humanitarian corridor to Gaza. – October 3, 2025