KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 ― Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry is working to secure the early release of Malaysian Dr Fauziah Mohd Hasan who was aboard an all-women’s boat detained by Israeli forces off the Gaza coast last night.

The consultant at the Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital here is on a humanitarian mission in the Middle East.

She was reported to be one of 13 people on board the Zaytouna-Oliva when Israel’s Defence Forces seized the ship and took it to the port of Ashdod.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently in communication with several parties to ensure the safety and well-being of the Malaysian involved,” it said in a statement today, without naming Dr Fauziah.

Dr Fauziah is a board member of the Humanitarian Care Malaysia and was reported to be serving as a physician for the Gaza mission.