KUALA LUMPUR – Fifteen Malaysians who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission, have lost contact with the Sumud Nusantara Control Centre (SNCC) after their vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Gaza last night (Gaza time).
As of 6am Malaysia time, eight of the individuals, including singer Zizi Kirana (real name Nur Fazelah Mad Tahil), aboard the Huga vessel, were confirmed to have been detained by the Israeli military, Bernama reported.
Other detainees include Musa Nuwayri, Iylia Balqis, and Sul Aidil, who were on the Alma ship, while Haikal Abdullah, Muaz Zainal, Zulfadhli Khiduddin, and Rusydi Ramli were detained on the Sirius vessel.
The whereabouts of five more Malaysians, including PU Rahmat, Norhelmi, Mohd Asmawi, and Norazman aboard the Estrella, and Ardell Aryana, who was on the Mikeno, remain unclear.
In addition, the SNCC’s tracking system reported that nine vessels are currently under “attack” status, while 13 others have issued emergency distress signals. A Grande Blu boat carrying Farah Lee and Danish Nazran was confirmed intercepted at 12.58 AM Gaza time, bringing the total number of unreachable Malaysians to 15.
Activists aboard the affected vessels have shared live footage, showing tense moments as Israeli forces surrounded and attempted to disable the aid convoy approaching Gaza’s shores.
At this time, no injuries have been reported, but the GSF delegation has reaffirmed its commitment to the mission despite facing aggressive Israeli tactics.
SNCC Director-General Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby reported that the Malaysian volunteers had informed their teams of their situation and were prepared to throw their phones overboard if the ships were intercepted in the Red Zone R2 by Israeli forces.
“They were all very enthusiastic and full of confidence before this,” Dr Sani said.
In addition to disabling communication systems using radar jammers, the GSF convoy was hindered by Israeli ships spraying water cannons to prevent the smaller vessels from entering the Red Zone R2.
Reports from Anadolu Ajansi confirmed that Israeli forces rammed one of the flotilla’s vessels, used water cannons, and mistreated the peaceful activists aboard.
“The Israeli occupation is using violence against our ships, deliberately ramming one of them, deploying water cannons, and brutally mistreating peaceful detainees from 50 countries around the world,” stated the International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza on X.
The organisers have called for urgent international intervention, warning that governments must take action as public outcry continues to rise globally.
The flotilla, primarily carrying humanitarian and medical supplies, set sail in late August and was expected to reach Gaza’s coast by Thursday morning, under normal circumstances. – October 2, 2025