Celebrity sisters, a rapper and an actress are among the 34 Malaysians sailing with a seaborne mission seeking to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver urgent aid to the besieged Palestinian enclave.
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The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail in August, aims to spotlight conditions in a territory where more than 65,000 people have been killed according to United Nations estimates. Last month, the UN described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.
The civilian-led convoy, comprising hundreds of activists from more than 45 countries, is currently navigating the Mediterranean off Egypt’s coast, less than 160 nautical miles (300km) from Gaza – waters where previous humanitarian missions have come under attack.
Among the Malaysian contingent are singer Heliza Helmi, 39, and her sister, singer and actress Hazwani Helmi, 28, as well as singer Zizi Kirana, 40, and actress Ardell Aryana, 35.
“We are at peace with this and seek forgiveness for any wrongs,” Heliza said in a voice message broadcast by Malaysian radio on Tuesday, adding that she hoped it would not be her last message. “We ask that you keep us in your prayers.”
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