Women's Boat to Gaza set to approach Gaza's coastal waters

Malaysia's sole representative, Dr Fauziah Mohd Hasan on board the Women’s Boat to Gaza flotilla is expected to enter Gaza's coastal waters near Palestine early tomorrow morning (approximately 11am Malaysian time).

Dr Fauziah, along with 12 humanitarian activists who are onboard Zaytouna, has reportedly entered 100 nautical miles (approximately 185km) from the coastline of Gaza, said MyCARE chief executive officer, Kamarul Zaman Shaharul to Astro AWANI here today.

“Any possibilities can happen after they enter the waters of Gaza,” he added.

He also said that based on past experience, Israel navy has been given orders to intercept the boat, at a distance of 70 nautical miles.

According to Kamarul Zaman, he received a phone call from Dr Fauziah from Zaytouna informing him that is smooth sailing for the flotilla and the group is adamant in achieving their goal: to reach Gaza.

“InsyaAllah, we have convinced international citizen that this is a peaceful mission with one message to the world -- the Gaza walls must be torn down for a peaceful Gaza.

“We are ready to face any adversities, we have sent out the message to the world and we are ready to face any untoward incidents or risks,” said Kamarul Zaman.

MyCARE is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which boasts several humanitarian agencies include Aqsa Syarif, 14Syria, Rose2Rose, NICE, PACE and Salam Iraq.

The women are sailing to remind the world of the brutal, illegal Israeli naval blockade that has trapped the 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza and made Gaza a prison for them.