Humanitarian vessel sailing for Gaza with Malaysians, other activists, believed seized by IDF
Mohd Azam Shah Yaacob
New Straits Times29 July 2018
KUALA LUMPUR: The vessel Al-Awda, carrying 22 activists from around the world on a humanitarian mission to Gaza, is believed to have been seized by Israeli Defence Forces 48 nautical miles from the Palestinian city.
Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCare) chief executive officer Kamarul Zaman Shaharul Anwar said communications with the vessel were lost about 1.15pm local time (7.15pm Malaysia).
He said the matter was confirmed by the Just Future for Palestine (JFP) monitoring centre, which also failed to contact the Al-Awda.
Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCare) chief executive officer Kamarul Zaman Shaharul Anwar said communications with the vessel were lost about 1.15pm local time (7.15pm Malaysia). Pic by NSTP/EMAIL
“In the last report received from the vessel, the commanding officer said four Israeli naval vessels were seen approaching. Then, at 7.15pm (Malaysian time), all communications with the vessel were lost,” he said in a statement.
Kamarul said MyCare had tried to communicate with one of the Malaysians aboard the ship, Professor Dr Mohd Afandi Salleh, via satellite phone but this had been in vain.
Ten Malaysians are on board the vessel, having joined the mission in Copenhagen in May.
The ship was named Al-Awda, meaning “The Return”, to signify the Palestinians’ right to return to the lands from which they were expelled in 1948. © New Straits Times Press (M)
