GSF: Malaysian activists share videos of tense moments before detention

KUALA LUMPUR - Several Malaysian activists participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission to Gaza managed to record and share videos of the tense moments when their ships were intercepted by Israeli forces.

Influencer Nurfarahin Romli, 32, better known as Farah Lee, sent a voice message recounting the critical moments when the vessel Grande Blu she was on was attacked with high-pressure water cannon.

"At first, they sprayed a little and warned our ship to stop, but we continued because our mission was to head to Gaza. Finally, they (Israeli forces) sprayed very strongly and we were all thrown off balance,” she said.

She said this in a voice recording uploaded on her Instagram page, along with a video showing her raising her hands, believed to have been when she was ordered to do so by Israeli forces.

In another post, Farah Lee also stated that the Israeli forces issued a stern warning for their ship to either turn back or sail to Israel, or face more aggressive action.

Farah Lee is one of 12 Malaysians reported to have been detained by Israeli forces during the mission to Gaza as of 7.50 am today.

The others detained are singer Heliza Helmi and her sister Nur Hazwani Afiqah (aboard Hio); singer Zizi Kirana (Huga); Danish Nazran Murad (Grande Blu); Musa Nuwayri, Iylia Balqis and Sul Aidil (Alma); and Haikal Abdullah, Muaz Zainal, Zulfadhli Khiduddin and Rusydi Ramli (Sirius).

Five other Malaysians have reportedly lost contact with the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC), namely influencer Nurul Hidayah Mohd Amin (Ardell Aryana) on board Mikeno, as well as PU Rahmat, Norhelmi, Mohd Asmawi and Norazman on board Estrella. 

Before losing contact, Ardell Aryana managed to livestream on TikTok, reporting that her ship had been attacked by Israeli forces, causing its rear sail to break, in addition to being sprayed with water cannon.

She said that although the GSF participants on board had already raised their hands, the Israeli forces continued to spray water cannon mercilessly.

"I’m not sure what happened to the others. So please record an SOS (distress signal) and prove to the world that Israel has broken the law.

"All on my ship are civilians from different countries, carrying supplies of milk and clean water for our brothers and sisters in Gaza,” she said, looking visibly distressed.

Heliza Helmi also managed to record the moments before their ship was sprayed with water cannon, as the captain instructed mission participants to be prepared for any eventuality.

"In fact, we wanted to stay on deck because this recording would serve as evidence in court later, but the captain was worried about our safety and asked us to go below,” she said before contact was lost. - BERNAMA