THE Government machinery is working urgently to repatriate its citizens detained by Israeli forces during the Global Sumud Flotilla mission, with the evacuation expected to take place within the next two days, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
He confirmed that he had appealed directly to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to help facilitate their release and safe passage out of Israeli custody.
“I have asked Erdogan to assist in bringing our activists to any border point and then to Istanbul. From Istanbul, we will arrange their return to Malaysia,” Anwar told reporters.
The Malaysian citizens are expected to depart Israel aboard the same aircraft as Turkish nationals who were also detained during the incident.
Anwar noted that he had not contacted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that “Malaysia has no diplomatic ties with the Zionist state.”
Meanwhile, the Global Sumud Flotilla issued an urgent international appeal following Israel’s seizure of its vessel Meteque in international waters last Thursday.
In a statement reported by Anadolu Agency, organisers said, “Live-streams and communications have been cut,” adding that the “status of participants and crew remains unconfirmed.”
They condemned the incident as an “illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians” and called for immediate international intervention.
“We call on governments and international institutions to demand their immediate safety and release,” the flotilla declared.
The Israeli military reportedly intercepted and seized almost all 44 boats in the flotilla, arresting hundreds of activists. However, one vessel — the yacht Marinette — was still believed to be moving towards Gaza at the time of the statement.
Israel has imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip for nearly 18 years, further tightening it in March by shutting border crossings and restricting food and medicine deliveries, pushing the population into famine.
Since October 2023, over 66,000 Palestinians — the majority women and children — have reportedly been killed in Israeli bombardments, with much of Gaza left uninhabitable.
Anwar Urges Temporary Pause On Gaza Flotilla Missions To Safeguard Lives
Meanwhile, Anwar urged Malaysian activists planning to embark on new humanitarian flotilla missions to Gaza to temporarily postpone their efforts, in light of the recent detentions of participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) by Israeli forces.
Speaking to reporters after Friday prayers at Masjid Al-Khadijah in Pantai Dalam in Kuala Lumpur Anwar said that the safety of those involved must take precedence over symbolic gestures.
“Of course, they will be stopped again. But in light of the detentions, I believe it's wise for us to pause for now. Let’s use our wisdom to renegotiate and restructure, especially in regard to the peace agreement being proposed,” he said.
“There are those who have criticised us. What matters most now is saving lives. Sometimes we speak as though we are heroes without limits. Everyone wants to be a warrior, but the reality on the ground has cost 65,000 Palestinian lives,” he added.
Anwar stressed that the priority now is to ensure continued humanitarian assistance and the protection of innocent civilians in Gaza, who remain under brutal assault by Israeli forces.
“What’s important is saving lives and delivering food and medical aid. If we can achieve that, it would mark a very significant first step,” he said.
Referring to the earlier US-led Abraham Accords initiated under former President Donald Trump, Anwar said they fell short of expectations, but noted that recent efforts appear to have broader acceptance across the Arab and Islamic world.
“Arab and Muslim nations may not fully agree, but many have endorsed the process, at least in terms of saving lives, protecting properties, preventing forced expulsions from Gaza, and ensuring displaced Palestinians can return,” he explained.
“It also includes halting any further Israeli Zionist incursions into Gaza. This is just the beginning, and we will continue to monitor and raise our voices,” he said.
On Wednesday, it was reported that a third wave of humanitarian flotillas had begun its journey towards Gaza, carrying international journalists, doctors, parliamentarians, and activists.
This latest mission is part of a broader campaign led by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG), involving 10 boats that departed from Italy on 27 September.
One of the vessels, Conscience, departed from Porto Otranto, Italy, on 30 September.
Nine Malaysians are part of this mission, travelling on two separate vessels. Dr Maziah Mohammad, a medical doctor, is on board the sailing vessel Umm Saad under the TMTG banner.
The other eight Malaysian delegates are aboard the Conscience and include: Professor Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali, who leads the delegation; medical doctors Dr Fauziah Mohd Hassan, Dr Hafiz Sulaiman, and Dr Ili Syakira Mohd Suhaimi; academics Professor Dr Mohd Afandi Salleh and Dr Noorhasyimah Ismail; MyCARE board trustee Norsham Abu Bakar; and journalist Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil of Astro Awani. - October 3, 2025
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