12 M'sians including celebs detained after Gaza aid ships intercepted by Israel, ask Anwar for help

12 Malaysians were among those detained by Israeli forces after the humanitarian aid ships they were sailing on towards Gaza were intercepted in the early morning of Oct. 2 (local time).

Among them were a number of influencers and celebrities, Malay Mail reported, including singer Zizi Kirana and influencer Farah Lee.

Interception began last week

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), consisting 47 ships, had begun to be intercepted by the Israeli Navy from the night of Sep. 26, according to The Times of Israel.

Among the first vessels to be intercepted was that carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who had in June also been detained and deported by Israel during a previous humanitarian voyage.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said several vessels of the flotilla had been "safely stopped" and those aboard had been transferred to an Israeli port.

Troops also jammed the signals on the boats after detaining their passengers.

It added that vessels were told to change course as they were "approaching an active combat zone".

However, the GSF claimed on Instagram that one vessel was "deliberately rammed at sea" while others were hit by water cannons.

"This is an illegal attack on unarmed humanitarians. We call on governments and international institutions to demand their immediate safety and release."

In an update in the early morning of Oct. 2, they said 30 boats are still "sailing strong to Gaza", while Al Jazeera reported that at least 13 vessels have been intercepted.

The flotilla aimed to arrive in Gaza by today (Oct. 2), according to a post made on Sep. 29.

Malaysians on board

At least 17 out of 23 Malaysians on the flotilla have lost contact with the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre, which is overseeing the GSF's voyage in attempting to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Among these, at least 12 are confirmed to be arrested, while the status of the others remain unknown, Bernama reported.

Malaysian singer Zizi Kirana, whose real name is Nur Fazelah Mad Tahil, was arrested after her vessel, Huga, was intercepted.

Like a number of other activists on board, she pre-recorded an appeal video, which was released by Sumud Nusantara following her arrest.

"If you are watching this video, it means I have been abducted against my will by Israeli forces. Our humanitarian mission is peaceful, non-violent, and in full compliance with international law," she said in the video, holding up a Malaysian passport.

"I appeal immediately to the Malaysian government, especially the Honourable Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to demand our immediate and unconditional release."

A similar video was released for Malaysian influencer Farah Lee, whose real name is Norfarahin Romli.

According to the post, she was arrested after her vessel, Grande Blu, was intercepted.

Other Malaysian public figures detained by Israeli forces were singer Heliza Helmi and her sister Nur Hazwani Afiqah, both aboard the vessel Hio.

Malaysia demands unconditional release

The Malaysian government has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all members of the Flotilla, Bernama reported.

Malaysia's Foreign Ministry also demanded the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

It strongly condemned the acts of aggressions by Israeli forces, calling the flotilla's mission "lawful under international law" and "a moral obligation that the international community must respect and protect".

The government also called upon the UN Security Council and the international community to take urgent action against Israel's "blatant disregard for global norms and principles".

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim earlier condemned in the strongest terms Israel's interception of the GSF, calling their actions "utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world".

"Malaysia will use all legitimate and lawful means at our disposal to ensure that Israel is held to account, especially in matters concerning Malaysian citizens," he said in a Facebook post.

He also said that the government is actively working with international stakeholders to ensure the activists are released immediately, promising family members that they would be kept informed.

Top images via Farah Lee/Instagram, GSF/Instagram & Zizi Kirana/Instagram