ALL 23 Malaysian volunteers detained by Israeli authorities during the recent Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission are en route to Ramon Airport in Israel ahead of their deportation to Türkiye, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed.
In an official update shared via his Facebook page, Anwar stated that the group will travel on a special flight to Istanbul, where they will undergo medical examinations before returning to Malaysia.
“It is better that they stay in Istanbul for about a day or a day and a half for medical assessments, especially to address the trauma and psychological pressure inflicted by the brutal Israeli regime,” said Anwar. “I agree that before they return home — either tomorrow night or on Tuesday — proper arrangements will be made.”
The Prime Minister also confirmed that all 23 volunteers had signed an immediate deportation order, allowing Israeli authorities to release them without further delay.
The Malaysian contingent was part of the larger Global Sumud Flotilla that attempted to breach the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza, aiming to deliver humanitarian aid and draw international attention to the ongoing crisis.
Anwar added that efforts to secure their release were coordinated swiftly, and the government remains committed to supporting both the volunteers and the wider Palestinian cause, including advancing a viable peace plan for Gaza.
A Mark of ‘Uncivilised Governance’
Anwar condemned Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, describing it as an act that reflects a regime bereft of civilisation, humanity and justice.
Speaking in a special announcement streamed via his official Facebook page, Anwar accused the Zionist authorities of not only oppressing Palestinians, but of deliberately preventing essential humanitarian assistance from reaching the war-ravaged territory.
“A civilised nation would, at the very least, allow humanitarian aid to be delivered,” he said. “But the Israeli regime not only suppresses the Palestinian people, it also brutally blocks all humanitarian assistance.”
“This happens only when a nation is ruled by an inhumane and uncivilised philosophy.”
The Prime Minister was referring to the recent interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which included 23 Malaysian volunteers among its international crew. The mission, aimed at delivering medical supplies and food to Gaza by sea, was halted by Israeli forces, with all Malaysian activists subsequently detained at Ketziot Prison in southern Israel.
Anwar commended the Malaysian delegation for their role in drawing international attention to the ongoing siege of Gaza.
“They have made a profound contribution by raising awareness among hundreds of millions of people across the globe. The regime claims to be combating terrorist groups, yet what we see are movements seeking the liberation of Palestine and Gaza. At the same time, it violently obstructs even the most basic humanitarian relief,” he said.
Israel's naval blockade of Gaza has come under renewed scrutiny in recent months, particularly as humanitarian conditions in the enclave continue to deteriorate. The flotilla mission, part of a larger international civil society effort, has reignited calls for an end to what many human rights advocates describe as collective punishment. - October 4, 2025
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