SEPANG: All Malaysian delegates in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) are in good health ahead of its entrance into the "yellow zone" at 9.18pm on Monday (Sept 29), says Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim.
He said that the six Malaysians on board the ship Johnny M - which was reported to have suffered a leak and technical failure on Monday - are safe and have transferred to another ship.
Sani Araby also confirmed that Johnny M, which functions as an observer boat, was unable to continue its voyage and added that this means that there are now 46 ships in the flotilla.
The Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general then added that the ships are expected to enter the "red zone" on Thursday (Oct 2).
"Currently, we are around 366 nautical miles from the Gaza coast. There were no reports of drone activities yesterday and the Malaysian delegation was reported to be in good health and condition,” he said in a daily press conference at SNCC Mapim here on Monday.
Meanwhile, he also denied reports that a ship from the Malaysian delegation was on fire, and said that all parties should not spread false news.
"SNCC once again emphasises that all parties refer to us as the authentic source. Any unverified information will only lead to Zionist propaganda and will build a false narrative,” he said.
Asked whether the Italian and Spanish ships would continue to accompany the GSF after it entered the yellow zone, he said so far, there is no information that the ships will withdraw.
"We have not received information that the Spanish and Italian frigates will withdraw because they are still in international waterways,” he said.
A total of 34 Malaysians are participating in the GSF mission which is currently in international waters near Greece and is expected to enter the yellow zone at any time before it is scheduled to arrive in Gaza waters later this month.
They are part of activists from 45 countries who sailed to Gaza to break the siege on the enclave, and have persevered in the face of various obstacles and threats including drone attacks.
Malaysia became the first country to recognise the mission through the support of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The GSF voyage across the Mediterranean Sea is bringing food supplies, medicine as well as a message of peace calling for an end to the war and famine crisis, as well as demanding the opening of a humanitarian corridor to Gaza. - Bernama
