The Foreign Ministry has confirmed that all 29 Malaysians who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission and were released on Thursday are safe and currently in Istanbul, Türkiye.
In a statement, Wisma Putra said all of them are undergoing health checks before being scheduled to return to Malaysia, with their arrival expected on Sunday.
“The Malaysian government also extends its highest appreciation to the Turkish government for all the assistance and support provided throughout the process of securing their release and safe return.
“The ministry commends the strong commitment shown by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim) and the Sumud Nusantara team.
“Although the humanitarian flotilla was prevented from reaching Gaza, the mission succeeded in drawing greater international condemnation towards the illegal blockade imposed by the Zionist Israeli regime on Gaza, Palestine,” the statement said on Friday.
Wisma Putra added that Malaysia remains committed to continuing diplomatic efforts with international partners in upholding humanitarian principles and strengthening global solidarity towards the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.
Earlier, it was reported that all 428 GSF 2.0 activists, including the 29 Malaysians detained by Israel in international waters, had been released.
Sumud Nusantara Command Center (SNCC) director-general Datuk Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said he was informed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had sent three Turkish Airlines aircraft to Ramon Airport in Israeli territory.
He added that all 428 flotilla activists were transported by bus to Ramon Airport before being flown to Istanbul on three special chartered flights sponsored by the Turkish government.
