KUALA LUMPUR: The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) convoy has entered the fifth day of its second phase of sailing towards Gaza and is now nearing Greek waters.
Tuan Asri Tuan Hussein, Media Director of Muslim Care Malaysia and a volunteer on the GSF convoy mission, said that as of 8.45am local time (Mediterranean Sea), 38 flotilla boats were detected approaching the waters in the ‘Yellow Zone’ located about 300 kilometres from the Gaza Coast.
"We are approaching Greek waters, which are international waters located close to Greece. From there, we will enter the Yellow Zone, followed by the Red Zone 100 kilometres from the Gaza Coast.
"This zone classification was set by the GSF itself to indicate locations where interceptions often occur, and most of them happen in both of these zones," he said when contacted by Bernama.
Tuan Asri said that upon entering the Yellow and Red Zones, participants must be prepared for potential Internet disruptions and the threat of spy drones.
"Last night, I was on watch and saw two drones, believed to be observers from Israel, around 10 or 11pm. One was directly above my boat, moving towards the back, and another moved from the back to the front on the left side of my boat," he said.
He said the Fair Lady boat he was on alongside activist and social media personality Nurfarahin Romli, better known as Farah Lee, was performing cleaning work before continuing its journey to the waters.
"The Mediterranean Sea is quite calm today; the waves are gentle, and there's no wind. So, as of this morning, we haven't been sailing much and are moving very slowly. We might be waiting for one of the ships to arrive.
"With the calm sea conditions, we're using the time to clean, refuel, and repair any damage to the boats while awaiting further instructions or stronger winds to start moving again," he added.
The GSF journey across the Mediterranean Sea, carrying food, medicine, and a message of peace, is scheduled to arrive in Gaza waters by the end of September. It brings together an international coalition from Europe, Asia, South Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
All Malaysian volunteers are under the banner of Sumud Nusantara, led by the Chief Executive Officer of Cinta Gaza Malaysia, Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is the patron of Sumud Nusantara, which involves Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Anwar, in a Facebook post on Monday (Sept 22), expressed heartfelt prayers on behalf of the entire community to accompany the GSF humanitarian mission.
He said he hoped the GSF's efforts would become a beacon of hope for the people of Gaza, who serve as a testament to the unity of universal human compassion. – Bernama
