GAZA: All nine humanitarian aid vessels under the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza were reportedly intercepted by the Israeli military near the red zone on Wednesday (Oct 8).
The Humanitarian Care Malaysia Control Centre says the flotilla is intercepted at 10.50am Malaysia time.
No further details were provided, and MyCARE will hold an emergency press conference at noon on Wednesday.
According to the last sailing data at 04:00 UTC, one vessel is at 32°30.649′ N, 30°24.474′ E, about 120km off Gaza.
The vessel is reported to be travelling at 4.32 knots on a heading of 90 degrees.
All nine vessels were earlier expected to enter the red zone at about 5pm Malaysia time
MyCARE chief executive Kamarul Zaman Shaharul Anwar says all vessels are moving at around 4 knots and have passed 200 nautical miles from Gaza.
The voyage across the Mediterranean carries food, medicines and a message urging an end to war and hunger, and a humanitarian corridor.
Eight Malaysian delegates are sailing on the vessel Conscience, with another delegate aboard the sailing boat Umm Saad.
The eight Malaysians on Conscience are led by Prof Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali, with seven other delegates named.
They include Dr Fauziah Hassan, Dr Hafiz Sulaiman, Dr Ili Syakira Mohd Suhaimi and journalist Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil.
They also include Prof Dr Mohd Afandi Salleh, Dr Noorhasyimah Ismail and MyCARE trustee Norsham Abu Bakar.
The largest vessel, Conscience, carries 10 crew, 20 international journalists and 21 medical specialists.
It also carries three Turkish MPs, 34 activists and six Freedom Flotilla Coalition Steering Committee members.
The Malaysian delegation is led by MyCARE, with 93 participants from 22 countries departing Porto Otranto, Italy, on September 30.
In total, the mission involves 150 participants from 25 countries, including nine Malaysians.
