SEPANG — Malaysians and other participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) detained by Israeli forces are believed to be safe.

Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said the activists are currently being held on board their respective vessels.

SNCC confirmed that the Israeli military had instructed the ship to alter its course from Gaza to an unverified location, based on radio communications.

“We are confident that all our delegates are being treated well, as the information we receive comes directly from the Malaysian participants on board as well as from non-Malaysian delegates we have been in contact with,” he said at a press conference here today.

Sani Araby added that as of 10.44 am (Malaysian time), a total of 14 out of 44 flotilla vessels had been intercepted, with 201 of the 497 participants – including 12 Malaysians – believed to have been detained.

He said Malaysians confirmed to have been detained are Muhammad Haikal Abdullah, Muhammad Muaz Zainal Abiddin, Mohammad Zulfadhli Khiruddin and Mohd Rusydi Ramli, who were on board the Sirius vessel; Ahmad Musa Alnuwayri Kamaruzaman, Iiylia Balqis Suhaimi and Sul Aidil Sudi (Alma); as well as Nur Fazelah Mad Tahil, also known as Zizi Kirana (Huga).

Additionally, Danish Nazran Murad and Nurfarahin Romli, better known as Farah Lee, were on board the Grande Blu, while singer Nur Heliza Helmi and her sister, Nur Hazwani Afiqah, were on the Hio vessel.

Meanwhile, other vessels that were also intercepted, including the Adara, Spectre, Deir Yassin Mali, Yulara, Aurora, Otaria, Morgana, Seulle and Mohammad Bhar, did not have any Malaysians on board.

Sani Araby said two Malaysians could not be contacted since the interception began, namely Nurul Hidayah Mohd Amin, also known as Ardell Aryana, who was on board the Mikeno vessel, and Razali Awang on the Inana.

He added that SNCC had also received reports of about 10 Israeli military vessels intimidating the GSF flotilla since 1.20 am today, while the convoy was in international waters, about 80 nautical miles from Gaza.

“SNCC confirms that the regime’s military used water cannons in its provocation, while also disrupting and blocking all communication channels, including CCTV and radio transmissions,” he said.

Sani Araby added that the GSF legal team, comprising a network of lawyers from 45 countries, is now on standby in response to the latest developments.