December 4, 2025
Local
Local
SERDANG, Oct 4 — The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) humanitarian mission carrying nine Malaysians is expected to enter the yellow zone, located about 300 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast, within the next 24 hours, according to updates this afternoon.
Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE) chief executive officer Kamarul Zaman Shaharul Anwar said the convoy of nine ships — including the flagship Conscience and the vessel Umm Saad — is anticipated to reach the red zone in three to four days, depending on sailing conditions and strategy.
“This mission aims to deliver international journalists, medical personnel, and activists to Gaza. The Conscience ship carries medical aid and baby food worth RM500,000,” he said during a press conference on the mission’s progress today.
“If permission is granted to dock in Gaza, the doctors and journalists will spend two full days working along the Gaza coast,” he added.
The Conscience carries 10 crew members, 20 international journalists, 21 medical professionals, three Members of Parliament from Turkiye, 34 activists, and six members of the FFC Steering Committee.
The eight Malaysian representatives aboard Conscience, which departed from Porto Otranto, Italy, on Sept 30, are chief delegate Prof Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali; doctors Dr Fauziah Mohd Hassan, Dr Hafiz Sulaiman, and Dr Ili Syakira Mohd Suhaimi; lecturers Prof Dr Mond Afandi Salleh and Dr Noorhasyimah Ismail; MyCARE trustee Norsham Abu Bakar; and Astro Awani journalist Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil.
Another Malaysian, Dr Maziah Muhammad, is aboard the Umm Saad ship that left Catania, Sicily, on Sept 27, sailing alongside seven other vessels toward Gaza.
In total, the FFC mission involves around 150 participants from 25 countries, with MyCARE leading the Malaysian contingent.
In a live broadcast today, the Malaysian delegates expressed their readiness to face any risks and reaffirmed their commitment despite the uncertainties ahead.
“We are prepared, even though we do not know when the Zionist regime might intercept us. We will remain calm and avoid provocation should the Israeli military attempt to board our ships.
“Our commitment to this mission is unwavering, and we hope its success will remind the world that Gaza has not been forgotten,” they said.
Previous flotilla missions — including Zaytouna (2016), Al-Awda (2018), Conscience, Handala, and Madleen (2024) — were intercepted by Israeli forces, leading to the detention of volunteers and international figures from over 40 countries. — Bernama
