KUALA LUMPUR, May 12  — A total of 57 Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) vessels are now ready to continue their humanitarian aid voyage to Gaza.

Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said this follows the safe arrival of 30 GSF vessels from the island of Crete, Greece at Marmaris Port, Turkiye at 2am on Sunday.

“The flotilla has joined the existing GSF vessels at Marmaris Port, bringing the total number to 57 vessels.

“SNCC confirms that all crew members are currently undergoing a coordination process involving the arrangement of participants, logistical requirements, sailing technicalities and final preparations before the flotilla proceeds with the final phase of the voyage,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Sani Araby also confirmed that all Malaysian participants are in good condition, stable and ready to continue the humanitarian mission alongside other international delegations.

Meanwhile, SNCC confirmed that two international humanitarian activists and GSF steering committee members, Thiago Ávila and Saif Abukeshek, were released yesterday after being detained in international waters near Greece for 11 days since April 30 by the regime authorities.

Sani Araby said the interception of GSF vessels in international waters and the detention of the two activists constituted a serious violation of human rights and international law.

“At the same time, it reflects the broader reality of the continued detention of more than 9,500 Palestinians in prison without due judicial process, including facing the risk of the death penalty following a new law recently passed by the Knesset (Israeli parliament),” he said.

On April 30, Sani Araby confirmed that six of the 22 vessels intercepted and intruded upon by Israeli regime forces in international waters while heading to Gaza involved 10 Malaysians, namely Zainal Rashid Ahmad aboard Arkham III; Osman Zolkifli and Dr Jihan Alya Mohd Nordin (Eros 1); Hazwan Hazim Dermawan, Mohd Hanafi Mohd Salim, Ahmad Musa Al-Nuwayri Kamaruzaman and Norhelmi Ab Ghani (Bianca BCN).

Also involved were Mohd Redzal Amzah and Muhamad Muhsin Zaidi, who were on board Freia and Marea respectively, as well as Mohd Shamsir Mohd Isa (Esplai).

Meanwhile, Sani Araby stressed that the current mission emphasises efforts to push for the recognition of a humanitarian maritime corridor under international law as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He also called on Malaysians to continue strengthening advocacy efforts for the liberation of Gaza and Palestine by intensifying efforts to spread verified facts, counter regime propaganda and raise public awareness through all media and social media platforms.

“SNCC also urges Malaysians to continue performing special prayers, Qunut Nazilah and continuous supplications for the safety of the entire mission delegation and the success of efforts to liberate Gaza.

“Any dissemination of information must be guided by authentic and authoritative sources and accompanied by continuous advocacy efforts at both national and international levels,” he said.

GSF 2.0 brings together an international coalition from around the world, combining maritime efforts with global mobilisation movements on land, including legal advocacy and solidarity campaigns in various countries committed to breaking the blockade on Gaza in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the territory. — Bernama