SEPANG: All 34 Malaysians participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a humanitarian mission en route to Gaza, are safe and in high spirits despite being harassed several times by sound bomb attacks from the Israeli regime.
Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said none of the participants were injured, although several of them experienced fever and seasickness.
He added that they all received immediate treatment from the medical team on board the vessel.
"Alhamdulillah, their condition is not worrying. We contact them directly at 3am Malaysian time daily to ensure they remain steadfast," he said.
He told the media this after Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi visited the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) and also held a video call with the 34 Malaysian volunteers here Friday (Sept 25).
Sani Araby said the resilience shown by the flotilla participants in facing these threats is proof of the spirit of universal humanitarianism and Malaysia will continue to give its full support until the mission reaches Gaza.
He said the GSF mission not only aims to stop the war and famine, but also demands the opening of humanitarian corridors into Gaza.
He added that while Mapim had anticipated provocations from the Israeli regime, they occurred earlier than expected.
Sani Araby said the mission involved 45 countries and Malaysia is the first to recognise it, through the support of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
As such, he said, the SNCC was established to coordinate media narratives, so that they are not twisted into propaganda, suggesting that Malaysia has pulled out from the mission.
He added that the SNCC operates 24 hours a day to ensure smooth coordination, participant safety and accurate information delivery to the international community.
"Round-the-clock monitoring is extremely vital not only for the safety of the participants, but also to ensure every crisis is dealt with swiftly, including efforts to bring them home if necessary," he said. - Bernama
