Several Boats Withdraw From Global Sumud Flotilla To Gaza, Reshuffle Needed For Mission To Proceed

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Several boats participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) Mission had withdrawn from the voyage to Gaza waters yesterday, necessitating a major reshuffle before the mission can proceed.

Tuan Asri Tuan Hussein, Media Director of Muslim Care Malaysia and a volunteer on the GSF convoy mission, said that as of 12 noon local time (Mediterranean Sea), the flotilla had arrived in the southern waters of Greece, involving nearly 30 boats.

"According to our plans, we were supposed to sail straight through and not stop in Greece, but there was a specific reason yesterday. A number of captains and their assistants withdrew (from the mission), which meant a reshuffle had to be made.

"We do not yet know the actual number (of boats and participants involved) or the reason for their withdrawal, so the organisers have to reassign passengers to other boats or new captains, including the boat I am on," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

He added that one family boat was also reported to be damaged and beyond repair, meaning the group will remain at their current location until conditions allow them to continue the voyage.

"As long as it is not resolved, we will not move. The occupants of that family boat may also have to be transferred because the boat cannot move. We have not received an update on whether they have found a replacement boat," he said.

The GSF voyage, which carries food, medicine, and a message of peace, is scheduled to arrive in Gaza waters at the end of this month, with international participation from Europe, Asia, South Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

All Malaysian volunteers are under the banner of Sumud Nusantara, led by Cinta Gaza Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman.

A total of 34 Malaysians are participating in the GSF mission and are now in international waters near Greece and expected to enter the yellow zone at any time before arriving in Gaza waters at the end of this month.

-- BERNAMA