Malaysian doctor on board Gaza-bound humanitarian ship seized by Israel
NST ONLINEOctober 6, 2016
KUALA LUMPUR: The Zaytouna-Oliva, a ship carrying humanitarian aid headed to Palestine, was seized by Israeli forces in Gaza waters tonight. Among those onboard the 13-strong all-female crew is Malaysia's sole representative Dr Fauziah Mohd Hasan, a board member of NGO Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE).
The Zaytouna-Oliva, a ship carrying humanitarian aid headed to Palestine, was seized by Israeli forces in Gaza waters tonight. Among those onboard the 13-strong all-female crew is Malaysia's sole representative Dr Fauziah Mohd Hasan, a board member of NGO Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE).
Dr Fauziah is serving as the physician for the mission, which is called Women's Boat to Gaza (WBG). It is understood that the ship was seized by Israeli forces around 9pm tonight (Malaysian time).
The matter was confirmed by MyCARE, which said it had lost contact with the ship and the mission's participants. MyCARE said they lost contact with the ship around 8.50pm. The vessel had remained uncontactable since. "We can confirm that the Zaytouna-Oliva, with its three crew and 10 occupants, including Malaysian representative Dr Fauziah Mohd Hasan, have been captured by Israeli forces around 8:58pm tonight.
"We lost contact with the ship around 8.50pm. Their last coordinates were at +31.975642, +33.640163; around 50 nautical miles from Gaza.
"Updates will follow as soon as we receive more information from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC)," said the organisation. © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
