SEPANG — The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission approaching Gaza waters with aid supplies for the Palestinians turned into an international crisis when several ships in the convoy, including those carrying Malaysians, were intercepted and detained by the Israeli navy in the red zone of the Mediterranean Sea last night.

The GSF mission, which involved 10 ships carrying 23 Malaysians to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, was scheduled to arrive at the coast of the conflict region at around 6.32pm Malaysia time today, but the journey was disrupted after being intercepted by the Israeli navy.

As of 1pm, the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) has confirmed that a total of 12 Malaysians have been detained after their ship entered the R3 red zone, about 100 nautical miles from the Gaza coast.

Those detained include celebrities, humanitarian activists and volunteers, including Heliza Helmi and her sister, Nur Hazwani Afiqah Helmi (ship Hio); Norfarahin Romli or Farah Lee and Danish Nazram Murad (Grande Blu); and Nur Fazelah Mad Tahil or Zizi Kirana (Huga).

Also detained were Haikal Abdullah, Muaz Zainal, Zulfadhli Khairudin and Rusydi Ramli (Sirius), as well as Iylia Balqis, Musa Nuwayri and Sul Aidil (Alma).

Meanwhile, five other Malaysians who were on board the Estrella and Mikeno ships were reported to have lost contact with SNCC, with their status still unconfirmed.

Three other ships — Fair Lady, Free Willy and Inana — which also carried Malaysians, were confirmed to be still sailing and maintaining communication with the control centre.