MALAYSIA and 15 other countries have expressed serious concern over the safety of the Sumud Global Flotilla, a civil society-led humanitarian mission delivering aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for the initiative, which not only aims to deliver essential humanitarian assistance but also seeks to raise international awareness of the urgent plight of Palestinians and call for an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
“The objectives of peace, the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and respect for international law, including international humanitarian law, are shared by our governments,” the statement read.
The ministers called on all parties to refrain from any illegal actions or acts of violence against the flotilla. They also underscored the importance of adhering to international law and humanitarian principles.
They warned that any violation of international law or human rights of those aboard the flotilla – including attacks on vessels in international waters or unlawful detention – would warrant accountability for the perpetrators.
Signatories of the statement include the foreign ministers of Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain and Türkiye.
The Sumud Global Flotilla, which carries nationals from these countries, has set sail with the mission of delivering aid to Gaza and reinforcing calls for peace in the war-torn enclave.
The joint statement was issued by South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
What was expected to be the beginning of a clear passage towards Gaza for the Sumud Global Flotilla (GSF) has instead turned into yet another chapter of waiting — this time, in the waters off southern Sicily.
Aboard one of the 17 vessels currently anchored off the coast of Portopalo di Capo Passero, a Malaysian participant from the Sumud Nusantara team recounted the growing sense of anticipation, uncertainty and resolve among the more than 150 participants and crew members.
“I thought the long wait had ended when we set sail from Augusta Port on 13 September. But it turns out, that wait has only continued, now here in Portopalo,” the participant wrote in a reflective dispatch dated 8 a.m. local time, 16 September 2025 — marking the third day the flotilla has been anchored at sea without clearance to proceed.
Despite vessels from Spain and Tunisia having already departed from Bizerte, Tunisia, the Italian segment of the flotilla remains in limbo, with no definitive timeline for when they will depart to rendezvous with the other convoys. The goal is to synchronise all routes to converge at a predetermined location before making the final leg toward Gaza’s coastal waters.
An online coordination meeting on the evening of 15 September involving all captains, crew, and flotilla organisers was held in an effort to finalise a joint departure. However, despite over two hours of deliberation — accounting for weather forecasts, wind direction, boat speed and logistical capacities — no consensus was reached.
Organisers have since called for an in-person meeting of all captains and coordinators on the morning of 16 September to continue discussions. Still, it is now almost certain that the flotilla from Italy will not depart on 16 September, with the earliest possible departure expected to be 17 September or even a day or two beyond that.
This delay, while frustrating for some, has become a test of will, unity and patience among those on board. “Some pass the test. Some come close to breaking. That’s just the nature of it — we’re all human,” the Malaysian participant observed candidly.
The Malaysian delegation, however, remains composed and determined. “We understand that any effort to support the people of Palestine will not come without hardship,” the note added.
The Sumud Global Flotilla is widely regarded as one of the most politically sensitive and perilous civilian missions in the world today. Its aim is to break the naval blockade on Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid and asserting civilian solidarity with Palestinians. Yet it faces not only the challenges of navigation and coordination — but also intense geopolitical pressure.
“This is not just about the sea or the skies. The voyage is equally shaped by unseen forces: political pressure, economic threats, and military intimidation,” the statement read.
Participants acknowledge that the flotilla’s very existence challenges the status quo — confronting not only Israel’s blockade of Gaza, but also the political weight of nations aligned with it, including the United States and several Western allies.
The Malaysian representative concluded by urging global observers to look beyond surface-level narratives. “There are deeper currents at play here, and I encourage everyone to read, research, and understand the context behind this voyage.”
For now, the waters of Portopalo hold the fleet steady — waiting not just for fair winds, but for the alignment of strategy, diplomacy and courage that will carry them forward. - September 17, 2025
