THE Conscience, a vessel carrying members of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s “Thousand Madleens to Gaza” (FFC-TMTG) humanitarian mission, including eight Malaysian activists, has arrived at the Israeli port of Ashdod following its interception by Israeli forces.
According to AFP, the vessel reached Ashdod yesterday, hours after it was seized in international waters less than 120 nautical miles from Gaza. The interception occurred at approximately 10.50am Malaysian time.
Earlier, Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE) Chief Executive Officer Kamarul Zaman Shaharul Anwar said the journey to Ashdod from the interception point was expected to take 10 to 11 hours.
He confirmed that legal representation for the detained Malaysians is now being arranged.
"Lawyers from the Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel (ADALAH) will today begin negotiations and legal proceedings for all nine Malaysian activists detained by Israel," said Kamarul Zaman.
The eight Malaysians aboard the Conscience include the mission leader, Professor Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali; Dr Fauziah Hassan; Dr Hafiz Sulaiman; Dr Ili Syakira Mohd Suhaimi; journalist Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil; university lecturers Professor Dr Mohd Afandi Salleh and Dr Noorhasyimah Ismail; and MyCARE trustee Norsham Abu Bakar.
Meanwhile, Malaysian medical expert Dr Maziah Mohammad was on board a separate vessel, the Umm Saad, which is operated by the TMTG group.
The FFC-TMTG convoy, part of an international initiative to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, faced Israeli interception while en route to Palestinian waters. International observers and rights groups have closely followed the developments, as diplomatic channels seek a resolution for the detained activists. - October 9, 2025
