Malaysian Gsf Volunteers Expected Home Monday After Istanbul Stop

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Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general and spokesman Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim. NSTP FILE PICSEPANG: All 23 Malaysian volunteers involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian aid mission are expected to return to Malaysia as early as Monday.
Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general and spokesperson Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim said the volunteers had safely landed at Istanbul Airport at 8.40pm Malaysian time.
They were received by the Malaysian embassy in Türkiye, Wisma Putra, and the Turkish government.
The group departed Ramon Airport, Israel, at 6.45pm Malaysian time on a commercial Turkish Airlines flight arranged and sponsored by the Turkish government.
"They will spend the night in Istanbul under the invitation and sponsorship of the Turkish government before being flown back to Malaysia on a Turkish Airlines flight. We had hoped they could fly directly tonight and arrive in Malaysia tomorrow. However, the negotiation was complex and handled personally by the prime minister, who leveraged his close relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other countries.
"The Turkish Government was gracious in offering hotel accommodations in Istanbul so the entire group could refresh and rest before returning home. As such, we are expecting their return as early as Monday or Tuesday. We will provide updates accordingly," he said at a press conference today.
Sani Araby added that the release effort was supported by the Turkish government and president, as well as the Jordanian government and the US Secretary of State.
He also said that another four Malaysians on the observation ship in Cyprus and two in Jordan were flying to Istanbul to join the 23 volunteers.
In total, 137 of 462 flotilla participants from countries including the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Jordan who had been detained had now been released with the assistance of the Turkish government.
"We call on all supporters to continue praying for the immediate release of the remaining GSF volunteers still in detention," he said.
Meanwhile, Sani Araby said that Sumud Nusantara was preparing for a second wave, which would involve a large-scale land aid convoy, if the Rafah humanitarian corridor is opened following the ceasefire. - NST

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