SHAH ALAM, May 4 — Ten Malaysians freed after being detained by Israeli forces in international waters while participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission have chosen to continue their journey to Gaza.
One of them, Zainal Rashid Ahmad, said the group is currently in Istanbul before resuming their voyage to carry on with the mission.
“All 10 of us have returned in good health, although we were treated poorly on board.
“But we remain consistent. Our stop in Istanbul is not to return to Kuala Lumpur, but to continue the journey from Istanbul to Gaza,” he said in a video uploaded on his TikTok account.
He said they faced various challenges during their detention, but all members are now in stable and safe condition.
At the same time, Zainal stressed that the group remains steadfast in advocating for the freedom of the Palestinian people and efforts to liberate Al-Aqsa Mosque.
A Greek Coast Guard vessel transfers Global Sumud Flotilla activists, who were intercepted in international waters by the Israeli Navy, at Atherinolakkos port on the island of Crete, Greece, on May 1, 2026. — Picture by REUTERS
“We call on all Malaysians to unite in defending sovereignty and supporting this effort,” he said.
He also urged the Malaysian government to take immediate diplomatic action, including issuing a protest note to demand the release of two remaining activists still in detention, Saif Abukeshek and Tiago Avila.
According to him, Saif is currently facing the possibility of severe punishment, while Tiago’s fate remains uncertain.
Earlier, the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) confirmed that six of the 22 vessels intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters while en route to Gaza involved 10 Malaysians.
A screen grab of activist Zainal Rashid Ahmad speaking on social media about continuing with the Gaza mission, during his transit in Istanbul, Turkiye on May 3, 2026.
Apart from Zainal, who was on board the vessel Arkham III, the others were Osman Zolkifli and Dr Jihan Alya Mohd Nordin (on Eros 1), and Hazwan Hazim Dermawan, Mohd Hanafi Mohd Salim, Ahmad Musa Al-Nuwayri Kamaruzaman and Norhelmi Ab Ghani (on Bianca BCN).
Also on the mission were Mohd Redzal Amzah and Muhamad Muhsin Zaidi, who were on board the vessels Freia and Marea respectively, as well as Mohd Shamsir Mohd Isa, on Esplai.
All of them, along with 165 other activists, were released at Lerapetra Port on the island of Crete, Greece, before being transferred to Heraklion Airport to be sent back to their respective countries.
The GSF 2.0 mission is an international maritime coalition and global mobilisation movement committed to breaking the blockade on Gaza in response to the humanitarian crisis in the territory. – Media Selangor
