GSF: Signing immediate departure form does not mean conceding - Mohamad

He said the move was part of the standard operating procedure (SOP), which had been communicated earlier to the delegation by the humanitarian mission secretariat, as detention by the Zionist regime was anticipated based on previous missions.

"When they sign the form, they do not have to go through the complex legal process. We are not certain how the legal process in Israel works, and it is very likely that they would have been detained for a longer period if they had not signed. Therefore, this step has helped to expedite their release.

"GSF is not a terrorist mission, but a peace mission to protest against Israeli atrocities. They did not carry any weapons on board, so do not misunderstand - some may argue that we are conceding by signing the form, but we are not. This is diplomacy carried out in a calm and tactful manner," he told reporters after attending the Masjid Sheikh Haji Ahmad Mawlid Carnival here today.

The Rembau Member of Parliament said that signing the release form also helped to facilitate diplomatic efforts, as Malaysia does not have official relations with Israel and relies on assistance from friendly nations, including Turkiye, Jordan and Egypt.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said the documentation process and arrangements to bring back all 23 Malaysian activists who have been released and are currently in Istanbul will be managed by the Prime Minister's Department.

Yesterday, Sumud Nusantara Operations Centre (SNCC) director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim said all activists are scheduled to return home on Monday.

Last Thursday, 23 Malaysian activists were detained by the Zionist regime after their vessel was intercepted in the R3 Red Zone waters of the Mediterranean Sea, before being taken to the port of Ashdod, Israel.

Mohamad also said the government would continue to monitor the movements of eight other Malaysian volunteers, comprising medical experts, journalists, and humanitarian activists, who are taking part in the third wave of the humanitarian aid mission to Gaza.

"So far, we have not received any latest updates, but I will contact the relevant parties. If they are detained, we may adopt the same approach, including requesting that the form be signed, as it helps simplify the legal process," he said.