Malaysia Condemns Threats, Demands Safe Passage For Global Sumud Flotilla

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia unequivocally condemns the latest actions that threatened the safety of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) on Tuesday, and urged safe, unhindered passage for its participants and vessels to deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry said Malaysia reaffirms that the GSF, a peaceful humanitarian mission to deliver urgently needed aid into Gaza, is lawful and morally indispensable, given the ongoing genocide and starvation in the Palestinian Territory.

“Malaysia calls for such threats of violence to cease immediately, and for the safe and unhindered passage of the flotilla participants and their vessels to be guaranteed,” the statement said.

The GSF, which is sailing across the Mediterranean Sea carrying food, medicine, and messages of peace, is scheduled to arrive in Gaza waters at the end of this month.

The historic mission involves more than 1,000 volunteers from around the world, including 34 Malaysians, aboard nearly 70 boats aiming to break the siege on Gaza.

The Foreign Ministry said the 34 Malaysians were reported to be safe.

Malaysia stands in solidarity with Palestine and reiterates its call for an immediate end to the genocide as well as the illegal blockade on Gaza, the statement said.

Earlier, Bernama reported that the GSF convoy endured tense moments after being subjected to intimidation by Israeli regime drones, some of which reportedly detonated in the air during the encounter.

Director-general and spokesperson of the Sumud Nusantara Flotilla Command Centre Datuk Dr Ahmad Sani Araby Al-Kahery said the flotilla had been subjected to a series of intimidation tactics, with as many as 15 drones flying at low altitudes in repeated intervals of every 10 minutes.

-- BERNAMA