MOUNTING global condemnation and coordinated diplomatic pressure have been identified as key reasons behind Israel’s decision to release over 470 activists, including 23 Malaysians, detained during the Global Sumud Flotilla mission to Gaza.
Professor Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, an international relations expert from Universiti Utara Malaysia, said Israel likely acted out of concern that prolonged detentions would intensify global scrutiny, especially following coordinated pressure from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), support from Europe, and efforts at the United Nations.
“The unity among OIC nations, strong backing from Europe, and coordinated diplomacy through the UN may have made Israel anxious about the long-term implications of detaining the activists,” he said.
Dr Ahmad also credited Malaysia’s swift response to the close ties Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim holds with key international leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“That is why we witnessed such a rapid repatriation of Malaysian citizens—far quicker than in previous humanitarian missions, which were typically delayed,” he told *Sinar Harian*. “It shows that negotiations can proceed swiftly when a leader maintains strong international relationships, even when there are no formal diplomatic ties with Israel.”
He warned that had decisive action not been taken within the critical 48-hour window following the incident, Israeli authorities might have prolonged the detention and employed psychological tactics to deter future humanitarian efforts to Palestine.
Dr Ahmad’s comments follow a statement by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who said the success in securing the release demonstrated the effectiveness of Malaysia’s *Madani* diplomacy, founded on principles of humanity, justice and dignity.
“The outcome reflects the strength of diplomacy grounded in moral clarity and national pride,” Saifuddin said. He confirmed that the negotiations involved multiple countries, including Turkiye, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and the United States.
Dr Ahmad emphasised that the success was not the result of a single nation’s effort. “We absolutely required multilateral cooperation, strong diplomacy, and solid bilateral ties with involved states. This was not the work of one party alone.”
He added, “The military strength of Turkiye also played a crucial role in ensuring the process unfolded smoothly.”
The International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza had announced that the flotilla, comprising 11 vessels carrying over 470 international activists from more than 50 countries, was aiming to breach Israel’s maritime blockade and deliver humanitarian aid directly to Gaza. However, Israeli naval forces intercepted the mission in international waters, detaining all aboard.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organised the mission, has staged multiple sea-borne attempts to break the blockade since 2010, calling it an illegal siege that exacerbates Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe.
Israel’s blockade has been in place for nearly 18 years. Since October 2023, its military campaign has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—and driven Gaza into what international observers now describe as famine conditions.
In a separate development, Deputy Chief Minister of Kelantan, Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan, strongly denied accusations circulating on social media that he or the state chapter of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) had insulted or belittled the GSF humanitarian mission.
“I categorically deny the baseless claims being spread on social media that either I or PAS Kelantan issued any disparaging remarks against the Global Sumud Flotilla,” he said in a Facebook statement. “On the contrary, PAS Kelantan firmly supports all noble efforts led by international bodies, NGOs and volunteers in delivering humanitarian assistance to Gaza.”
Calling the viral messages “false and malicious,” he urged the public to rely on verified sources of information. He also called on all Malaysians to “unite in support and prayer so that all efforts to help the people of Palestine may be eased by God.” - October 6, 2025
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