Global Sumud Flotilla activists handcuffed, denied water and medicine
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), recently released by Israeli forces, recall the suffering they endured yet remain determined to highlight the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Iylia Balqis, 28, said Israel’s interception of the boats was “the worst experience”.
“We were handcuffed, we couldn’t walk, some of us were made to lie face down on the ground, and then we were denied water. Some of us were denied medicine,” she said.
On Saturday, it was reported that 23 Malaysian members of the GSF delegation who were in the custody of the Zionist regime since Oct 2, have been safely taken out of Israel and transported to Istanbul, Turkiye as part of the recovery process.
Another Malaysian volunteer, Hazwani Helmi, who is a singer and humanitarian activist, shared her harrowing experience in an interview with Al Jazeera shortly after arriving at Istanbul Airport.
“It was terrible. What I can say is that they treated us like animals,” she said, referring to the Israeli soldiers.
“We were not given proper food or clean water.”
She said their medicine and personal belongings were confiscated, including bags and important documents, and still haven’t been returned.
She also revealed the inhumane treatment experienced by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who was part of the same humanitarian mission.
“I remember how they dragged her roughly and pressed the Israeli flag to her face. They treated her like an animal,” said Hazwani.
According to international media reports, Thunberg, 22, remains in Israeli military custody, while the Swedish government is reportedly in talks to secure her release through legal channels.
Singer Zizi Kirana, in her first update on her Instagram account on Oct 5 since her release from an Israeli prison, simply wrote, “Alhamdulillah.”
She also shared an Instagram post by Cinta Salam Malaysia featuring a video showing GSF participants arriving in Istanbul.
The caption praised the volunteers’ unwavering spirit in their advocacy for Gaza.
“Tears fell seeing their fighting spirit. Even after being released from a Zionist prison, their determination to fight for Palestine has not diminished – it has grown stronger.
“Nothing can break our resolve as long as Palestine is not truly free, even if it means risking our lives,” Cinta Salam Malaysia wrote.
Social media users expressed gratitude and prayed for the health and safe return of the Malaysian volunteers to their families.
“Alhamdulillah, come home soon, we can’t wait to hear your stories,” one user wrote.
On Oct 4, Sumud Nusantara Operations Centre stated that a special plane carrying all the Malaysian activists departed from Ramon Airport, Israel, bound for Istanbul, Turkiye, on Saturday at 6.45pm Malaysian time.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that all 23 Malaysians had been released and transported to Istanbul on a special flight arranged by the Turkish government, and are expected to return to Malaysia as early as today.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) in a statement yesterday said that the Prime Minister should use high-level diplomacy to secure the release of other foreign nationals from the GSF who are still being held in Israel.
